Page 74 of All My Heart

“I worry about you.”

“You don't have to.” I hadn't given my family any reason to worry about me growing up. That was by design. They had enough to worry about without adding me into the mix. That was why I'd enlisted after high school graduation. One less college tuition to consider. It had the added bonus of putting space between me and my family.

“You're the one who seemed okay after Mom died. I'm not saying you were, but you acted like you were fine.”

“I wasn't.” We never talked about Mom dying.

“Oh, I'm sure. But you didn't want to make me worry about you. Especially when I had Daphne and Jameson to consider. They were so young.”

“Wes and Teddy helped out. Fiona was already gone, but Daphne and Jameson needed you.” I didn't fit into that scenario. I saw the way Wes and Teddy covered their own grief to help everyone else. I couldn't be an extra burden to anyone.

“It's okay to take a little happiness for yourself.”

I chuckled uncomfortably. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“If this thing between you and Luna is real?—”

“It was a way to pass the time. That's all.”

My sisters, Violet, and Luna filtered into the room, followed by Sutton and Claire. I hoped no one had heard me dismiss Dad's assertion. I didn't want anyone to pity me when she was gone. I planned to put on a good front, like I always did. There was nothing to worry about. I was just as strong as I'd always been. I might not know what my future held, but it was here with my family.

We stayed for a little while longer, playing a few card games. Then couples started getting ready to leave.

Violet hugged Luna, making her promise to catch up soon. She'd have questions, and I wanted to know how Luna would answer them.

On the drive home, Luna said, “Your family's great.”

“You're probably wondering why I needed space from them.” I wondered if she thought I was crazy because my family was nice. I was the one who didn't fit in.

Her forehead creased with concern. “You're going through a transition, and you're probably a different person than when you left.”

“They're pairing off one by one, and I don't fit in anymore.” They had different lives now.

Luna reached over to touch my thigh. “Just take it slow. I think it will be okay.”

“Dad knew about me getting home early. Teddy told him.”

“Was he upset?” Luna asked.

“He said he understood.” But I detected the underlying pain.

“Give it some time.”

Time we didn't have. I'd avoided asking questions, but I wanted to know the answers. “When do you leave?”

“My flight is a couple of days before Christmas.”

Christmas was in five days. She was leaving in two. “That's soon.”

Luna's smile was shaky. “Yeah, it will be hard to leave. I enjoyed the break.”

“But it's back to reality,” I said gruffly.

“Yeah.” She didn't say anything more like she was sad about leaving me. But I hadn't expected her to. She was always going to leave. I was the idiot who hoped for more.

“Teddy's going to help you with the rest of the kitchen install?”

“He'll be here the next two days.”

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