Natalie gave an apologetic giggle, breaking the tension a little. My stomach grumbled then and I realised it must be later than I’d thought. I invited Natalie up to my room for dinner and she accepted.
Just like I had when I’d first stepped inside Harrington House, she froze, her mouth dropping open.
“Woah! This place is…it’s something.”
“I thought Riley showed you around already?” I asked as I led her upstairs.
“The gardens, sure, but not inside. Wow!” Her gasps of admiration only grew when we made it to my little wing of the house. She looked around the luxury of my rooms, her brown eyes wide. “Well, you’re certainly living a different life now, Lola.”
“You too.”
Her life had certainly improved now that she had Riley and his six-figure salary to help out.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I’ve still got dried Cornflakes on my shirt.”
“I’ve still got dirt under my fingernails.” I folded my arms and she did the same, then stuffed her hands in her pockets looking anywhere but at me. “Why is this so awkward?” I muttered.
She laughed softly. “I guess both of us are going to say some stuff the other one doesn’t want to hear.”
She was right. There was no point beating around the bush. “Alfie thinks the timing of our fathers return is too convenient.”
“I’d thought that myself,” she admitted. “Riley too. But I don’t care.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You don’t?”
“No. I saw him again today. We had a long talk. I think he truly thought staying away was best for us. He told me about his mental health problems. He’s been in rehab for alcoholism. Runs in the family. Apparently his dad was the same.”
“I guess it skipped a generation,” I said, reminding her that she and I had turned out just fine.
“We had good mothers.”
“Good mothers that didn’t deserve what he did.”
“I agree.”
There was another awkward pause. I didn’t want to fight with my sister. Not over this. I had enough battles to face right now.
“I can’t talk about forgiving him but I don’t want to cut him out just yet either. I don't have your fire, Lo. Anger doesn’t sustain me like it does you. I want to take it slowly but I’m going to spend more time with him, if he stays consistent then I’ll introduce him to Ryan.”
I had no right to tell her not to have a relationship with him but the thought of him getting any happiness from us after what he’d done left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“And if he’s just here for what he can get?”
“Then at least I’ll know I was strong enough to give him a chance. What if he’s here to be a father? I’ve always wanted it, haven’t you?”
“A father? Absolutely. Is that what he actually is? I doubt it.”
“But maybe he could be. You can call me naive, Lola, I don’t care. All I know is that I have a chance and I don’t want to miss it. I’m getting married and I know I’d really like my father to be there for my wedding. Don’t you want him there for yours?”
I stared at her. How had she known? I ran a thumb over my finger but no, there was no ring there. I hadn’t put it on this morning. Had Alfie told her? It wouldn’t be the first time he’d interfered.
“How did you know I was engaged?”
A shocked expression settled over her face. “I-I didn’t…” she stammered. “I just meant hypothetically when you get married someday. Lo, are you getting married?”
Oh shit.I started to laugh. I couldn’t help it.
“Yeah. I guess I am. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I meant to and then you told me about you and Riley and I didn’t want to rain on your parade and—” She cut off my word vomit with a hug.
