“Why haven’t you done it already if you want her to go home with you so badly?” Rip snaps.
I squeeze his hand, and he shuts up.
“Mom, Dad, I’m going home with Rip. I live with him.”
The room goes quiet, and my mom’s nostrils flare. My dad hangs his head and runs his hand on his neck.
“Dandy, I can take care of you.”
“Mom, you work,” I remind her.
“Sylvie will be home. She hasn’t found a job yet, and—”
“Are you fucking serious?” Rip asks.
“I’m not going to be left alone with Sylvie and an infant all day,” I announce. “I live with Rip.”
They don’t answer, but they know they’ve lost this round. There’s no way I’m going home to a house with three kids, my sister, and my parents.
“There’s something I want to tell you both.”
They move closer, but they look weary. My mom wraps her arm through my father’s and rests her head on his shoulder.
“Ripley asked me to marry him, and I said yes. We’re going to City Hall in a few days.”
Rip kisses the back of my hand. Cori makes a shrieking noise and runs toward me, but Rip stands between us until she calms down. She sits on the bed and gently hugs me.
“I’m so fucking happy for you,” she whispers in my ear. “I’m gonna go call Selene.” She practically bounces out of my room.
“Dandy,” my mom says. Her eyes pool with tears, and they fall, but I know they are not tears of joy. Mom is not one to get overly emotional. “Are you sure? You haven’t known each other very long. What’s the rush?”
“We’re in love and want to be married.” My mom’s face scrunches, and she bites her bottom lip.
Mom fluffs out my hair. “Honey, just because you’re in love doesn’t mean you have to run out and get married.”
More tears fall, and my heart breaks.
“Dad?” He’s been unusually quiet. He doesn’t look at me. He stares at Rip’s profile and shakes his head.
“I’m with your mother, Eden.” He never calls me Eden.
Chapter 66
Rip
Six weeks later
“I could totally be a housewife,” Thorny says while she loads the dishwasher. “I know you’re salivating at the thought.”
I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to me.
“I am.” I lick the shell of her ear. “Even though I cook and clean better than you.” I drop my arms and slap her ass.
“We can hire someone to come and clean twice a week.” She bites her bottom lip and looks at me with big eyes.
“No. You know I don’t want anyone in our house.”
“Fine,” she concedes. “But I’m going back to work in a couple of weeks.”
