“But everything was fine before I got here,” Margot said, her eyes glistening. “And now there’s photographers and Lila’s stressed. Mom says I cause everyone stress.”
“This has nothing to do with you,” Mia said, her voice an octave higher than before. “You don’t cause stress. It’s those awful people at the show. Right, Vance?”
“Right,” I confirmed. “Margot, you didn’t cause any of this. The show was already happening. Kenzie and Beau were already problems. You being here is the good part. The best part.”
“Really?” Margot asked.
“Really. You make everything better. Both of you do.”
Mia swiped at her eyes. “I’m just scared of what could happen. All of this has seemed too good to be real. You might leave. Like my dad did.”
“Not me,” I said firmly. “I don’t run when things get a little messy. I fight. That’s what you do for the people you love.”
“You love us?” Margot asked softly.
“I do. Both of you. And Lila.”
“Even with all the crazy stuff happening?” Mia asked.
“Especially with all the crazy stuff happening,” I said. “That’s when a family needs to be strongest.”
Margot stepped closer, slipping her hand into mine. “I don’t want you and Lila to break up because of me.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I said. “These idiots have nothing to do with us. Not really. We have one another, and that’s all that matters. Okay?”
She nodded, squeezing my hand.
Mia took a shaky breath. “Okay. But if you break your promise, I’m going to be really mad.”
“Fair enough,” I said, pulling her into a hug. “But you won’t have to be. I promise.”
Margot joined the hug, and, for a moment, we just stood there in the kitchen—the three of us holding onto each other. Seconds later, I heard the garage door opening. The girls pulled away, glancing toward the door with expectant smiles.
“Remember,” I said quietly. “Don’t mention the stereo. Let her discover it.”
They nodded.
The door opened, and Lila stepped inside.
My smile faltered immediately.
She looked devastated. Her eyes were red-rimmed, mascara slightly smudged. Her shoulders were hunched, like she was carrying something impossibly heavy. The portfolio she usually held with pride was clutched against her chest like a shield.
If there had been any doubt in my mind about whether or not she’d seen it, there wasn’t now.
“Mom!” Mia started toward her, then stopped. “Are you okay?”
Lila forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Hi, sweetheart. I’m fine. Just … long day.”
But she wasn’t fine. I could see it in every line of her body.
“What’s that music?” she asked, her voice too bright, too forced.
“We got you a surprise!” Margot said, pointing toward the turntable.
Lila’s gaze followed, landing on the vintage player and stacks of records. Her face crumpled for just a second before she caught herself.
“Oh,” she whispered. “Oh, that’s …”
