Page 2 of Love Takes Home

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I also have a lead foot and access to a plane, helicopter, and boat.”

“Shut up.” I smile at her. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”

“What a glowing recommendation for marriage there, Gin.”

“Just go. And pretend to be happy for me today? Please?”

“You got it,” she says as she finger-shoots at me. “Pretend to be happy. I know a thing or two about doing that. I’ll pull it right out of my bag of tricks for you.”

“Appreciate it,” I deadpan.

“Love you.”

When the most important women in my life file out of the room, each one looking like they are being dragged to the gallows, I turn to my dad. “Daddy?”

“Sit with me for a minute, Princess.”

He hasn’t called me Princess in years. I silently nod and make my way to the couch along the back wall and sit as comfortably as I can in this monstrosity of a gown. Don’t ask. Please. Just know I would have never picked this dress to wear today.

“First,” he begins, sounding every bit the accomplished attorney he is, “I love you. And your answer today will never change that. Understand?”

I feel like I’m being scolded for something I’ve done wrong, but I dutifully nod my head.

“I don’t want you to go through with this.”

I open my mouth to object, but he holds up his hand, halting the words I’ve rehearsed to defend my actions from spilling out.

“You don’t love him, baby girl. And I think we both know he doesn’t love you. And I’m going to say something that I will probably regret the rest of my life, but if it’s just a sex thing, there are other options out there to get what you need.”

“Daddy!” I laugh, and it sounds a little deranged even in my head. “What?”

“I’m saying if you’re only with him for the physical aspect of it, you can surely do better, Virginia. But I know you aren’t in it for the love side. Do you even like him?”

I stare at my father, Mr. Stoic, who never has a cross word to say out loud about anything or anyone, never talks unless he has to, telling me not to go through with this. And I break. The tears I’ve been holding back all morning finally fall, and I’m not sure they are ever going to stop.

“I don’t know what to do, Daddy.”

Saying the words out loud, in front of another person, feels like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders—my soul.

“You say no, sweetheart. You get up and you walk out of this place with your head held high, knowing you’re doing the best thing for yourself.”

“What about Kei—”

“I’ll handle him.”

“I don’t think you understand.”

“I understand more than you think I do, Virginia. And I don’t need you to tell me. I know. That’s why you aren’t going home, and you’re getting out of town for a few days.”

I snap my head up, the confusion loud and clear on my face. “What did you do?”

“Contingency plans. You have a friend who’s going to get you out of town.”

“But Trish—” I try to reason with him.

“Will call you as soon as she’s in labor and you’ll be there in plenty of time.”

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