“Thank you so much for this,” I whisper to her.
“Go and have some fun,” she grins at me.
Izzie and I catch an Uber. It feels less restrictive than having Josiah’s driver take us somewhere. For a change, I’m making my own choices, and I don’t have to tell him anything about what I’m doing. Especially not after the fight we had theother day. I can’t believe that man tried to tell me I belong to him. So, this is my little jab back at him. Proving a point.
Izzie coming to visit me somehow reminded me of who I am. How hard I fought to be the strong and independent person that I am.
I don’t need Josiah trying to take that away from me again.
“So, how’s life in the beautiful city of Chicago?” Izzie asks, sipping her cocktail through a pink straw.
“It’s challenging,” I say after a moment, trying to find the right word.
“Well, you’re going to have to be a lot more informative than that. Also, why have you been so quiet?” she asks.
I sigh and lean back in my chair, looking around the tropical-themed bar. “I kept wanting to tell you everything that was going on, but it all seemed so crazy I couldn’t find the right way to explain it. Especially not over the phone,” I tell her.
“Well, I’m here now. And I have all the time in the world for you,” she says.
Izzie is my favorite person to talk to when things get tough. She’s patient and understanding, but at the same time she’ll call me out if she thinks I’m being a brat or overreacting. Everyone needs a friend like that.
“Okay, I guess, uh, there’s no subtle way of saying any of this…” I laugh nervously. “Remember I told you I left Chicago before because a guy broke my heart?”
She nods. “Yes, Josiah. The man whom I will help you bury. If you just blink twice, I’ll make a plan…” she says teasingly as she raises her brows, waiting for me to blink. I laugh and shake my head.
“Josiah is my boss. He’s the one I live within the mansion.”
Her mouth drops open in shock. “You—are—kidding?” she blurts out, accentuating each word.
“Unfortunately, not,” I sigh, picking up my drink.
“But the girls…I mean, he’s their…do they know?” She can’t believe it.
“No. I haven’t told them. I know I should, but I can’t seem to find the right time. I don’t want to…I don’t want to lose them. It’s been just us for so long,” I say quietly, realizing another level to my reluctance.
“You’ll never lose those girls. They adore you more than anything else on this planet. You are their entire world, Kayla.” She reaches out to touch my arm. “But at the same time, no one should force you to tell them something you aren’t ready to. Don’t let anyone do that to you. The Kayla I know would kick someone’s ass for trying to push her around,” Izzie grins.
“Ugh, it feels so good just to talk about all of it. I can’t exactly talk to Josiah, and the only other people I really see are his family.”
“You know I’m always here for you,” she says, slipping out of her chair and giving me a one-armed hug. “Dammit, I missed you!”
She sits down again. There is a sparkle of mischief in her eyes.
“I know that look. You’re excited about something. What is it?” I ask, laughing at her.
“Soooo….” She draws out the word lavishly. “I was talking to my brother, and I think I’m moving to Chicago!”
“Are you serious?!” I ask her, flooded with excitement.
“I am! You know he pays for everything. After I failed at holding down a job that one time a few years ago,” she laughs, “I gave up trying to be an independent girl, and I accepted him funding my rather wonderfully expensive lifestyle. Except I've been going crazy with boredom in California since you left. I miss the girls. My brother said I can do anything I want, and I can go anywhere I want, and all I really want is to be the slightly out-of-her-mind crazy aunt to those two gorgeous twin babies.”
She shrugs, giving me a sheepish smile. “I miss you guys seriously badly,” she adds.
“I wouldloveto have you living close by. Won’t your brother miss you, though?” I ask.
“Pfft,” she scoffs. “He has a whole life of his own. And he can visit me any time. I want to be near you guys.”
My phone rings, and I search around for it in my purse. I’m worried it might be the twins needing me. But it isn’t. It’s Josiah.
