Page 127 of Resorting to Romance

The truth will set you free, they say.

And that’s how I feel.Free.

Phyllis and I watch Brad walk out the door.

When the door shuts behind him, I turn to my aunt. “I thought you always told me good men stay.”

“I changed my mind this time. That one needed to go.”

I chuckle. “So you heard all that?”

“I did. You and Kai were faking?”

“We were. I’m so sorry.”

My aunt just smiles at me. There’s not a shred of condemnation in her expression or tone of voice.

“I wish you had told me.”

“We just couldn’t. The more people who know, the more chance it would leak. Not that you would have spilled anything. It was just a precaution. But it killed me to hide the truth from you. I’m sorry.”

“I understand. I also don’t believe you are that good of an actress. Take it from an actual actress, there’s only so much the average person can pull off when they aren’t feeling something real. Am I right?”

Her eyes flit between mine, drawing out my confession.

“I love him.”

“This is Kai we’re talking about, right? Not your ex-husband?” Her grin is mischievous and light.

“Obviously.”

“Good. Because, not that I get a vote, you know, for raising you and for pouring wisdom into you over all these years, guiding you … feeding you … giving you a home … paying for ballet … you know.” She winks. “But if I did get a vote, it wouldn’t be for Brad. If he weren’t Noah’s dad, you wouldn’t even give him a second thought. So don’t be confused by his power of persuasion.”

“I’m not. He and Kai aren’t even in the same league.”

“You’ve got that right. Kai loves you, Mila.”

“He hasn’t said so.” I almost sound pouty, and I kick myself for needing his words when everything about him has shown me so much more than words ever could.

“What do you want?” Phyllis asks. “A man who said he loved you but walked out on you when you needed him most? Or a man who has shown up for you ever since he met you, even though you’ve never officially been his?”

I’m pondering those words long after my aunt leaves to go home, and long after Noah comes back from his afternoon with Aunt Connie and Uncle Ethan. They echo in my mind as I serve my guests supper and wash the dishes.

I’m tucking Noah in after this day that feels like it lasted a year.

I’m nowhere close to being prepared for the question Noah asks when I’m about to turn off his bedside lamp.

“Mom?”

“Yeah, buddy?”

“Why did Aunt Connie say Mister Brad is my dad?”

THIRTY-SIX

Kai

I love you so much I'd fight a bear for you.

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