Her heart danced because moving in with him was exactly what she wanted, but she felt torn and had a strong sense of obligation to guide Jane onto a happier, healthier future with new opportunities at every turn. In many ways, it was as though she were the elder sister. Even the very narrow possibility of acceptance to art school in Paris conflicted her. “Ha! You just want easy access to my chili.”
“True.” He grinned. “Seriously, I think getting away from your vampire sister from time to time is a smart move. Your smile has been a little less brilliant since she came to town, and that’s not you.”
She kissed him, then turned back to the chopping board. “You’re sweet, but I can deal with it.”
“Why do you have to deal with it?” he asked leaning against the counter she worked at. Picking up the carrot microphone, he took a bite, talking with a mouthful. “She’s an adult, not a child.”
“Well, she acts like a child, and I deal with it because despite her issues I love her, and ... maybe the empath in me needs to go all in. You know me, I like a challenge,” she joked.
“It’s your goodness.”
“Is that code for my pie-in-the-sky, Pollyanna optimism?” She chuckled.
“No. It’s code for ‘people take advantage of you because you have a charitable, loving heart’. She’s feeding off your generosity and it’s unhealthy, Lizzy.”
“Maybe. I just get where she’s at. Apart from me, Jane is alone and trying to navigate life without my mom’s influence. And you know better than anyone, New York City isn’t easy.”
“True, that alone could break the strongest.”
“While she hasn’t gone no contact from my mother, separation can be guilt-inducing.”
“From what you tell me sheisyour mom. You’re not her therapist or battering ram, babe.”
“You’re right, and I don’t want to be an enabler either. As narcissistic as she is, she’s my big sister and has a good heart, truly. Sometimes, Jane means well and she does have some of my father’s admirable traits, more so than my other sisters.”
“And you?” He bit the carrot. “Are you similar to your dad?”
“I suppose. Big Tom is resilient and a hard worker.” She shrugged.
He chuckled. “Big Tom?”
“Daddy’s a bit portly and tough as nails. Never complains.”
“Are you close to him?”
“We’re as close as we can be, given that he’s in complete denial about my mother’s personality disorder. I haven’t spoken to him in months.”
“Seriously?”
“We text, and that’s fine. Lordy, it’s a complicated mess. My mother is super jealous of our relationship, and he always defends her, no matter what manipulation game she playsusing her children as chess pieces. I’m not complaining. It’s just the way it is—unfixable and the reason I moved.”
“She sounds like a polar opposite from my mom who just laughs at the pickle up my dad’s ass but runs block for her kids. I’m so sorry, babe.”
Chuckling, she fondly said, “I love your mother.”
“That’s good because she loves you.” He stopped her hand from chopping, and she looked up at him. “And so do I. Can I at least help you carry this situation with your sister?”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m used to this. It’s not your responsibility.”
He brushed his thumb against her cheek. “Then know that I will be standing beside you as your escape hatch, parachute, safe space, and shoulder to cry on. And I will always have your back.”
“I’d never expect you to be my savior, but ... you’d be the first to care.” She smiled brightly despite the sadness she felt at her declaration. “I love you, William Darcy.”
He held up a pinky, and she hooked hers with it. “Until forever starts, you can move in whenever you feel ready,” he added. “And if it gets too cramped for you, I’ll buy another place.”
“I’ll never want you to sell. This place is where I find my smile and soak up your good energy after she sucks it out of me,” she added with a chuckle of levity.
“Okay, then, until forever begins.” He deposited a kiss to her lips, sealing their deal.
