“I did raise my child.” Rose lifts her chin.
“And I’m straight,” Quinn replies instantly.
The table goes quiet. Every head turns to her. River actually looked hopeful for half a second.
She blinks innocently. “Sorry. I thought we were telling lies.”
This meal really should have happened at home.
Willow is shutting down, and I can’t do a fucking thing about it.
Now even River is tuned in, green eyes bouncing between me, his mother, and his sister.
“You're gay?” Rose practically spits the words.
On top of every awful trait, homophobia is at the top.
“And proud.”
Rose doesn't pause. She leans forward, eyes narrowing. “Is that why she's here? She's your girlfriend?”
She doesn't even let Willow answer.
“That’s disgusting. I won't have my daughter with some woman who has a filthy mouth and works in a coffee shop.”
“Rose,” I snap, just as River tells her to stop, but she ignores us, eyes locked on the girls.
“Is this another thing your dad encouraged? It is, isn't it?”
I've never had the urge to actually throw someone off a cliff before, but Rose makes it so easy for those thoughts to drift into my mind.
Tears glint in Willow's eyes, but she doesn't let them fall. She shakes her head, rising with a fire that refuses to be ignored, anger and sorrow flashing across her face.
“My dad was ten times the person you are. He didn't give a single fuck who I was or what I did—he loved medespiteit. You need to take a long, hard look in the mirror before you comment on other people's lives.”
I hold my breath, waiting for the moment she might drop the divorce bomb in front of River.
“And if I were with Quinn?” Her green eyes flare. “I wouldn't give a single fuck what you think. I don't value your opinion because you're nothing to me, and soon enough, you'll find yourself alone. A lot sooner than you think.”
She straightens, and I can’t stop the swell of pride that hits me. Quinn shoots her a proud grin and a cheeky wink. My chest swells; it’s a little ridiculous how much this woman makes me feel.
Willow storms off without giving anyone a chance to respond, her stride furious. I can’t help but follow her with my eyes. She wants to be alone, but that’s exactly what she doesn’t need. I glance at Quinn and River, both looking as if they’re about to chase after her, and I clear my throat before standing up. “I’ll check on her,” I say, ignoring Rose and the others as I focus solely on Willow.
The women's bathroom comes into view, and I push the door open, not caring if anyone else is inside. Relief washes over me when I see her. She's staring into the mirror, her hands gripping the bathroom sink.
“Elijah,” she sighs, voice soft but wavering. “I just want to be alone.”
My chest clenches, and all I want is to march back out there and make them pay for hurting her.
Instead, I stride over to her, slipping an arm around her waist. She doesn't pull away. I turn her gently toward me and pull her close, her head finding my chest, her hands clutching at me as if she's afraid to let go. She breathes me in, and I hold her tighter, letting her lean into me.
“I've got you,” I hum into her hair, my hand resting at the small of her back, keeping her anchored against me. And I do. Every inch of her, every quiet tremor, every breath—she's mine to protect, mine to hold, mine to make sure no one ever makes her feel small and not wanted again.
Her pretty green eyes lift to mine, lashes fluttering as her pupils darken. Her hands slide up to the back of my head, fingers threading into my hair as she gently pulls my mouth to hers.
I kiss her back just as softly. There’s a faint trace of wine on her tongue when it brushes against mine, warm and familiar. Her nails skim the nape of my neck in a way that makes me groan.
For a moment, the world fades into nothing but this: her breath, her touch, and the quiet way she fits against me. I find myself wishing I could stay right here, doing this forever.
