Beth sniffled, because of course she did. "They won't. They have you. And us. Even if it's a disaster, you'll land on your feet."
I smiled, finally. "Thanks, guys," I mumbled.
Gerty took a new tack. "By the way, I'm coming up the day after Beth, so you better save me some cinnamon rolls, or I'll riot."
Beth wheezed. "Her and her baked goods. She needs a husband or a new hobby."
Gerty groaned. "Stop trying to set me up. The last guy nearly cleaned out my bank account and my liquor cabinet."
I leaned on the counter and let their banter roll over me. Actual peace, for the moment. I started folding towels to keep my hands busy.
Huey barked upstairs. Something crashed. The twins' voices raised, then I heard laughter, then the sound of a dog stampeding on hardwood.
Beth caught the noise. "Tell the girls hi. If Eliza asks, she's dying to know if Fifi has any new drawings. I think she's plotting a prison break from her reading class."
Gerty moaned. "I need to borrow those kids sometime. My house is too quiet. Maybe I'll foster kittens."
"Get a boyfriend," Beth shot back.
"Hard pass. Never again. I have Amazon Prime and a state-of-the-art vibrator."
They were both ridiculous. The way they argued was half the reason they were my best friends.
We signed off, hugs and threats and promises to call if anything went sideways. I found the girls upstairs, an argument brewing.
"You can't wear that. It screams desperation!" Fifi waved a hoodie in Mere's face, scandalized.
"Better than smelling like a department store," Mere shot back.
"At least I don't have dog hair on my skirt," Fifi huffed, flicking a strand at her sister.
Mere rolled her eyes and started braiding her hair. "It's called texture. Maybe read a fashion blog?"
Huey, ever the opportunist, barreled past me and wedged himself between the twins, tail wagging so hard it thumped the wall.
They shrieked, mock-horrified, then broke into giggles. All that anger and bravado, up in smoke.
Some things they had to work out for themselves.
If this whole thing broke their hearts, I'd never be able to forgive myself. But I wanted, needed, them to have a shot at something bigger than me.
I knew it. I just didn't want to say it out loud.
The twins kept arguing, but it was friendly now, the old rhythm restored. I went back to the kitchen to start a late dinner. Tomorrow, everything would change. But for tonight, I could handle the chaos.
Even if it killed me.
Chance
The sun cutacross the Meyer compound in fat orange slashes, turning every window hot gold. My thoughts matched it. Brighter than usual, but nothing close to calm. I paced the main hall, every bootstep echoing off stone floors. Caden stalked behind my ribs, tail lashing, nerves set to detonate.
I tried to practice what I'd say. Ran through different angles, all ending the same. "You've got every right to hate me, but I want in. I want it all, or at least whatever you'll give." Nothing sounded strong enough. Sixteen years. How did I wrap that kind of regret in words that didn't choke me half to death?
The fireplace was nothing but coals at five, but I stoked it anyway. Two logs, a fistful of kindling, and atrickle of dragon heat. I checked and rechecked the mugs, lined up water bottles, and even set out a plate of cinnamon rolls. Overkill, maybe, but if sugar didn't fix the tension, nothing would. The nerves weren't just for the girls. Every time I pictured Tash walking through that door my pulse jumped.
Caden had his own ideas about what needed fixing.Forgive her, he nagged.
My mother. Her face haunted every polished surface in the house. I wasn't ready to make peace, but it'd come eventually. I couldn't burn a bridge forever, no matter how satisfying it sounded. For now, I mentally slammed the door on that part and focused on my daughters.
