Page 156 of Getting it Right (Addy's Rollercoaster)

My arm flew to the side as my legs gave out. I anticipated hitting the floor, but Barry caught me.

“Sorry, babe.” He led me to the bed. “I guess that comes as a bit of a surprise.”

Trying to catch my breath, I gave him ayou think?look.

“I told you I would call my lawyer.”

“But I didn’t think anything would happen.” I shook my head. “And not this fast.”

“You don’t know Dick.”

“What?” I asked.

He slowly smiled. “Richard Teller, my lawyer. He got the ball rolling this morning. He has a reputation of being able to push the right buttons and pull the right strings. Seems Winston and Grace value their public image above all things.”

“They don’t want a scandal.”

“Yeah. And they know a man like Richard Teller can make the scandal a big one if they don’t cooperate.”

“When do I get to meet her?” I asked.

“Tomorrow.”

“Oh my God!” I clasped my hands to my chest. “What will I wear? What will I say? What will she think of me?”

“She’s your daughter,” he said. “She’ll love you.”

That so didn’t follow in my mind, even though it was sweet.

“I abandoned her.” My eyes glassed up. “Like my father did me.”

Barry gave me a hard look. “You’re not like your old man, Addy.”

“I’ll bet they’ve told her horrible things about me.” I bit down on my lip.

“I doubt that. Why would they want her to think badly of her mother?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t stress,” he said firmly. “This is a good thing.”

It was. He was right. I told my racing heart to slow.

“Will you go with me?” I asked.

“I will.” He nodded once. “I don’t want you going near that fucked-up family without me.”

“Thank you.” I threw my arms around his neck. “For coming back to Southside. For making my sister feel welcome here. For Ella. For everything.”

“You are everything to me.” He wrapped me up in his strong arms.

“And you are to me.” I grabbed the hem of his shirt and lifted it over his head. “Allow me to show you.”

Barry

“Idon’t expect a reward,” I told Addy, and I meant it.

Seeing her so happy was its own reward. I captured her delicate hands and gazed into her gorgeous greenish-blue eyes.

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