“Well, he shouldn’t, but that’s his business. To be honest, it’s not even really about that. What bugs me the most is that you knew how hard it was for you, but when it came to me being in the same situation, your answer was choose Lincoln. It was almost as if you wanted me to repeat the same mistakes you made. That’s the part I don’t understand,” Sophie said before she pulled her shades down on her face again.
“You’re right and I was completely out of line for that. I can’t even explain why, other than it seemed like the easy out, but you didn’t listen and followed your heart. I’m glad you did because Trooper loves you and he’s much better than Lincoln would have ever been. I’m not perfect. I get that. But you don’t understand that life, Sophie. Regardless of what you think, I chose you, and you can act spoiled and ungrateful all you want, but had I chosen Sinclair, I might not be here and neither would you. You don’t know William and his family. You don’t know what they’re capable of. I didn’t even fully know back then, but I did what I needed to do, and I make no excuses for that. After he killed my father, Sinclair made it clear I needed to do whatever necessary to keep you safe, even if that meant marrying William. He loved you that much and so did I. So you don’t have to understand it and I don’t care if you do. I still love you. You’re my daughter and nothing will change that.”
With a defeated look on her face, Alana got up and was about to walk away, but Sophie stopped her.
“I’m sorry. The past is the past and it’s not my place to judge. True, I don’t totally understand it, but I know you love me.”
Alana smiled at her daughter before she leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going to make us dinner,” she said as she left us there alone.
“You need to forgive her, Sophie. Telling her you’re sorry and in the next breath treating her like she’s invisible is not right. She loves you, and it may not be perfect, but she’s trying to make it right,” I said, looking right at Sophie.
“I know and I do forgive her. It’s just weird, you know? So many things about my life were affected by the choices she made, and whether it was because she loved me or not, it really changed the dynamics of who I am. I’m not really mad about it, I’m just getting used to it, but you’re right.”
“Of course, I am,” I announced with a smug grin.
“I’m not even going to address that.” Sophie’s eyes rolled before she lifted her very virgin drink.
I lifted mine, which had the double alcohol like I’d requested. If I had to be in Jamaica without my man, I would be making the most of it and getting drunk was part of that process.
After dinner, Alana settled into her room and Sophie and I went back out to the beach to enjoy the evening breeze. The air was warm and humid, but the breeze coming off the ocean felt good. It was simply beautiful, which now had me in my feelings about being away from Carlos.
It was like missing him willed him to call because seconds later my phone had his name on the screen.
“You naked?”
I blushed as his sexy voice flowed effortlessly through the phone.
“Yes, actually I am,” I lied.
“Word, then we can get this poppin’ right now. Spread them legs for me, Madeline.” I heard the amusement in his voice and it had my kitty purring already.
“I can’t do that. I’m on the beach with Sophie.”
Sophie lifted her head and looked at me with a huge grin, which I assumed was because she realized who I was talking to.
“Fuck you mean you’re on the beach? Didn’t you just say that you were naked?”
I smirked at his reaction. Carlos had been there a few days ago, so he knew Trooper’s property was exclusive and no one had access but us. That was one of the main reasons we were tucked away there.
“I was kidding, but what would it matter? There’s no one here but us.”
“Oh, it matters. You not gonna have my pussy on display for the world to see, Madeline.”
“Well, the world isn’t here. Just Sophie and it’s not on display.”
“Better not be or I’ll have to handle that when you get back.” His tone lightened a little and I shook my head.
“I miss you.”
“You miss me or?—”
“Stop. I miss you, well both of you,” I said, cutting him off.
He chuckled. “I miss your aggravating ass too. My place is quiet as fuck and I haven’t even been sleeping in my bed.”
“Why not?”
“’Cause it feels weird as fuck now that you’re not there snoring. Plus, I’ve been getting in late, so I just been crashing on the sofa.”
