“It’s just…it’s hard to see you with anyone other than Dean.”
“Dani, you know Linc and I have been friends for a long time.”
“Yeah, and I also know how my brother felt about him.”
I bite my tongue to refrain from snapping at her. I know she’s still hurting. Dani and Dean were really close and he confided in her a lot during our marriage. But she’ll never know what it was like to be married to him. She’ll never understand the hell he put me through and how hard I fought to save him. And she’ll damn sure never understand my relationship with Linc.
No one will.
“Thank you for your apology,” I say.
“I was wondering if Caroline could come spend the night this weekend?”
I tense, feeling uneasy. “Dani, you’re more than welcome to come to the house and visit but I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to come spend the night.”
“Why not?”
Aside from the fact that she hasn’t bothered to contact either of us in the last year, I don’t trust Dani. Not when it comes to my daughter.
Then she hits me square in the chest. “Sylvie, please. Caroline is the only family I have. She’s all I have left of him. I…I know I haven’t been around much the last year but it’s been so hard. I’m struggling to pick up the pieces but I’m trying. I finally got clean. Sober now for seventy-two days. But I have very little support and a long road ahead. I need something to hang on to. I think spending time with her will help.”
Tears sting my eyes and my fortitude crumbles. I want to believe she’s changed. That she’s not the bitter, dramatic girl I once knew. And that she’s not a slave to her addiction. How can I fault her for trying?
“Come by the house tomorrow night and we’ll go from there.”
“Thank you, Sylvie. This means the world to me.”
I can hear the relief in her voice and it brings me a small amount of comfort that I’m making the right decision.
