His head snaps up. “Did I?”
“Straight at my face,” I say. “Your mum nearly cried laughing.” He grins at that, and I relax. Seeing him smile is the only thing I need to make my chest feel less heavy.
I’m about to turn the page when I look up and spot Wynter standing in the doorway watching us. I nod towards the couch. “Come join us.”
She hesitates for a second then walks over.
Sebastian spots her and brightens. “Wynter! Look, this was me and Mum.”
She sits beside me, careful at first, like she’s not sure where to put herself. I fix that and my arm goes around her shoulders, pulling her in without thinking, while my other stays around Sebastian.
“He was a menace,” I tell her.
“I was not,” Sebastian argues.
“She doesn’t believe you,” I say.
“I do,” Wynter says, smiling at him. “You look very innocent.”
He beams. I glance between them, then back at the album. “This was a good day,” I say, tapping the photo again. “One of her favourites.” Sebastian leans into me. And although Wynter doesn’t feel quite relaxed, she doesn’t pull away.
We sit there for a bit, flipping through pages, pointing things out, laughing at the little things.
“This is what she wanted,” I say after a while, keeping my voice steady. “Us all together. Happy.”
Sebastian nods, his smile wide. I tighten my arms around both of them, just slightly. “We’re a family,” I add.
Sebastian smiles, settling back into me.
Wynter remains quiet.
Once Seb is tucked into bed, I go back into the living room and spot Wynter staring into space like she often does.
“Drink?” I ask, bringing her from her thoughts.
She shakes her head and pats the space beside her. I hesitate before slowly heading over.
“That wasn’t fair,” she whispers, not quite meeting my eye. “What you said back there to Seb.”
I frown, trying to retrace my words. “That we’re a family,” she reminds me, “Like Anika wanted.”
I stare down for a moment. “It’s true,” I mutter.
She gently places her hand over mine. “I know that’s what you want more than anything,” she says gently. “Especially after the way you grew up. And what you’re doing for Seb,” she sighs, “I think it’s great. It proves that you’re a good man deep down.” She takes a second. “But––”
I’m already shaking my head as I get to my feet. “No. No.”
“Ray, I––”
“No, Wynter,” I say firmer. “I refuse to believe that we can’t have what everyone else seems to get so fucking easily. I’m halfway there,” I cry. “So close. Don’t be the one to break it apart.”
She inhales sharply, her brow furrowing. “I haven’t. I wouldn’t,” she says, “But you did.”
“So, you’re not even gonna give me a chance to make things right?”
“Ray, look at the track record,” she says on a sigh. “You pushed me away and then forced me back. You can’t force this. You can’t make me stay by tugging on my heart strings.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
