“Daddy’s office!” She bounces in my arms. “I see Daddy all the time though, so I’m going to hang out with Uncle Jack. I miss him too. Was he sick?”
I gulp down the lump in my throat. “He was. So you give him a big kiss for me, okay?”
Since I can’t kiss him any other way.
“Okay, I will.” She leans in, kisses me again, and then jumps out of my arms. “Bye-bye.”
“Guess the boss says it’s time to go,” Wills mutters as he leans down and kisses my forehead. “You okay?” he whispers, and I shrug, not wanting to get upset again.
I give Chloe a quick cuddle for an extra shot of serotonin before they leave, then turn to Sadie standing with her arms open wide. I involuntarily lean into her hug, not realizing how much I’ve needed human contact.
“Don’t shut me out, Annabelle,” she whispers, sadness filtering into her words.
I don’t answer, because what’s there to say? I didn’t have the mental capability to talk to anyone.
I still don’t.
“Come on. I’ve made lunch.”
“This seems excessive for lunch, no?” I stare down at the large spread taking up half of her kitchen.
“I figured you weren’t eating properly.” She eyes me up and down, looking for any sign of malnutrition, but it’s impossible to see under my oversized joggers.
We each make a plate, then we head out to the garden where she’s set a table filled with stunning bouquets on top of floral linens.
Never an absence of flowers in this house.
We sit silently until I’m mid-bite and look up to find both Nora and Sadie staring at me. “What?”
Nora reaches over the table and squeezes my hand. “We don’t need to talk about it in detail, trust me, between the two of us”—she gestures between her and Sadie—“we have a lot to catch up on. But forgive us for caring, Belle. If we let you sit there stewing over your thoughts any longer, what type of friends would we be?”
Sadie frowns. “Are you okay? Have you talked to Jackson at all?”
I drop my head and play with the napkin in my lap. “Not really. We’re like two ships passing in the night.” I sigh. “But that’s okay. He’ll be ready when he’s ready. And I’ll be there for him, no matter how long it takes.”
“How are you?” Nora asks. “Mentally, have you been replaying old memories? It’s okay if you have.”
“Is it normal? It’s not so much the memories, it’s the nightmares.” I exhale heavily. “How have you dealt with them all these years?”
Her eyes search mine. “I’m so sorry, Belle. I wish I could tell you they get better, but I don’t have the answers you’re looking for. Mine took over ten long years to stop, and I still get them at times. Though if I had to make an educated guess, yours will go away once you work things out with Jackson.”
“I hope,” I mumble, leaning back. “Other than the nightmares, I’ve blocked out the surgery completely. I do let myself think about the baby though, and while it makes me sad, it was so many years ago that I’ve had time to heal. Jack, on the other hand, is what worries me most.”
“He’ll need time, but you’ll get through this,” Sadie says.
“You’re sure?”
Because I’m not sure they’re right about that.
“Yes,” they both speak up.
I drop my shoulders and let some of the stress wash away for now. I must admit, sitting out here with the sun in my face, side by side with my mates, feels good.
Even if it’s a temporary feeling, I’m going to try my best to enjoy it.
“Since you’ve dragged me out of the house, tell me all the things.”
“Okay, I’ll start.” Sadie smiles proudly. “Wills met Sebastian at the welcome party, and they struck a deal that Tournesolwould be the main restaurant in Seb’s new London hotel.”
