She huffs, “You want to tell me what the hell you’re doing?”
I sit up straight. “Excuse me? I’m not doing anything.”
“Uh-huh. And that’s the problem.”
I get up and close my open door.
“Presley—”
“I spoke with Liam.”
I take a seat and slump in my chair.
“Okay, and?” I ask carefully.
“And he’s trying really hard not to lose his mind while he’s stuck in a state that he can’t leave to go see his daughter and the woman he loves.”
Guilt rushes through me.
Presley tilts her head to the side, staring hard.
“Aaron showed up.”
She huffs a laugh. “Yeah, I know. And now you’re doubting Liam.”
I exhale sharply. “It’s not that simple.”
“Actually,” she says flatly, “it is.”
Now, I love my sister, but sometimes, she’s so blunt and honest that it’s unsettling to me. Like I’m getting in trouble in the principal’s office.
“You think Aaron is doing this because he’s noble?” she asks.
“Well, I mean, he was there. For everything.”
“For you,” she corrects. “He was there … for you.”
“And Sera.”
“Because it kept him close to you.”
I flinch.
“You really think he was changing diapers out of pure altruism?” she continues. “Alie, you know I love you dearly, but you’re not that naive.”
My throat tightens.
“He told me Liam didn’t want to be involved.”
“And you never, not even for a second, thought that it was convenient?”
I hesitate.
“Let’s line this up,” she says, ticking points off on her fingers. “You run out on Liam after your amazing night together. Liam goes back to New Orleans. You’re heartbroken and feel duped. You find out you’re pregnant. You’re scared. Aaron walks in and takes over. And you…let him. Because he’s familiar.”
“He was safe.”
“He told you Liam didn’t want the baby, Alie.”
