“She didn’t have to leave. I’m fine. And I don’t want to talk about it.” She wraps her arms tightly around herself, more tears welling in her eyes.
I rest a hand gently on her knee as my own guilt pulsates within me. When something happens with her mother, usually caused by promises unkept, Opal ends up like this. All I have to do is give her room to open up. “But what if I want to talk?”
She squeezes her eyes shut. “About what?” she says over a sob, head bowed.
My girl, trying to be strong when she doesn’t need to be. “I’m not mad at you,” I murmur, “so if you’ve convinced yourself I am, trust me. Sylvie and I are not angry about what you did last night, and as a matter of fact, I would say we kind of get along better now.”
Tears slide down Opal’s red cheeks as she opens her eyes, but instead of sadness and fear, there’s curiosity flickering in them. “You do?”
I nod once, which almost feels like a lie, especially with how we left things. “Yeah,” I mutter. “I was driving her home lastnight when we realised she couldn’t get to her house. For some reason, they blocked access to her road. That’s why she stayed here last night.”
“You guys didn’t fightat all?” Opal asks incredulously, brow quirked.
I chuckle at that. “We did,” I admit. “But we sorted out our differences.”
“Then why did she leave with Uncle Link?”
I stiffen. “Because I asked her to. So, I could talk to you.”
Opal releases a shaky breath. “Dad, I just—” She cuts herself off with a shake of her head. “Mom is leaving again. This time she’s going with her new girlfriend to Paris. She knows how badly I want to go, and she isn’t taking me. That’s why I’m sad.”
I don’t know whether I should feel disappointed on her behalf or pissed that her mother is hurting her once again. “I’m so sorry, baby girl.”
Opal shakes her head, another sob making her body rattle. I get off the ground and join her on the bed, taking her in my arms, and I let her cry it out. All her pain and disappointment come pouring out of her until there’s nothing but her silent tears. There’s nothing I can really do. I can’t promise her a trip to Paris, not on my salary, not when my savings just went to the fundraiser.
And there’s nothing I can say or do to make her feel better.
“Did you at least kiss Sylvie?” Opal asks suddenly.
I stiffen. “What?”
Opal pulls away enough to look up at me. “I mean, come on, Dad. I’m not blind. She was wearing your clothes, and you were watching a Christmas movie. You hate those. I just hope she doesn’t hate you for kicking her out over me.”
“I didn’t?—”
My daughter is a lot more observant than I give her credit for. “I’m used to Mom disappointing me now and not thinking aboutme. But I like Sylvie. A lot. And I don’t want to come between you. Especially if she isn’t staying.”
My chest tightens with worry, not just for my daughter, but over the future of my relationship with a woman who has every reason to leave. Who could walk away at any moment.
“Please don’t give her a reason to leave, too, Dad,” Opal whispers. “Especially if you love her.”
A harsh breath falls from my lips before I can stop it. “Love her?” I ask, surprised.
Opal looks up at me with bloodshot eyes. “You wouldn’t have brought her home if you didn’t.”
I blink hard, looking away. The realisation, the truth, slams into me.
In some way, I do love Sylvie. Maybe it’s selfish. Maybe it’s too soon. But care isn’t a strong enough word to describe how I feel towards her, and love…
I can’t deny it when it feelsright.
“We should go find her,” Opal declares. “Like right now.”
“We?” I question as she shoves out of my embrace and stands.
“Yes,we. I like her too much for you to mess this up.” Opal grabs her coat and holds out her hand. “And I think I’ve already made it clear I want you two together. Unless forcing you to spend all that money wasn’t obvious enough.”
I chuckle and rise. “Got it.” Taking her hand, I give her fingers a squeeze. “Thank you.”
