“Understandable,” Liliana said.
“I’ve accepted what happened,” Brit said, “and I’m letting the past go.”
Liliana smiled. “Can we keep in touch?”
Her question was met by silence.
“I’m not sure,” Addison said. “So much has happened over the past few months. Maybe after some time passes.”
“That’s fair,” Liliana replied.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Brit said. “We both are.”
Brit wished that things had ended differently for Honor, despite what she’d done.
“I take responsibility for my part in Jordan and Honor’s twisted relationship. If they’d told me, I would have accepted their love affair and let them go.”
“Isn’t that a little weird?” Addison asked.
“Maybe,” Liliana replied. “It’s the killings that I struggle with.”
“Revenge is a powerful motivator,” Brit said. “And a slippery slope.”
“Have you had any time to paint?” Liliana asked, changing the subject.
“Brit and I spend Saturdays painting,” Addison said. “We set up a studio at my farmhouse.”
“We’re doing a series together,” Addison added.
“I’m sure it will be beautiful,” Liliana replied.
They chatted for a few more minutes, mostly about Liliana’s plans at the ranch. After hugging them both goodbye, she made her way out of the lounge.
Brit was great with hellos, not so good with goodbyes.
Though she acted like she didn’t care, her childhood wound had never fully healed. A lump formed in the back of her throat and tears pricked her eyes.
Addison hugged her. “It doesn’t get any easier, does it?”
“No,” Brit whispered. “Not really.”
“She’s still our mom, no matter what,” Addison murmured. “Rebel was smart to suggest dinner after.”
“Can we talk for a second?” Brit asked. “I could use your advice.”
They sat back down at the table.
“Rebel wants to get married right away,” Brit said.
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Addison asked. “I mean, he is your person, right?”
“I don’t want people to think we got married just because we’re having a baby,” Brit replied.
Addison clasped Brit’s hands across the table. “For a second, pretend like it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Not me, not Daddy, not our friends, not anyone at work. How do you feel about him?”
Brit smiled. “He’s my person, but I don’t need to be married?—”
“Ever or now?”
