Page 96 of Stealing Sunshine

Mama settles beside me and rubs my back in a show of silentsupport. “I’m glad you decided to join us today. Both me and Jen have been wanting to meet with you now that our daughters have found each other.”

It’s Mom who speaks next, her tone a bit sharper as her eyes fall on me. “Although, we sure would have loved to hear about their relationship from them instead of through the grapevine. It was quite a surprise whenJosettecalled to let us know.”

Josette’s sitting in one of the camping chairs with her head back and eyes closed, completely naive to the silent promise I make to get her back for this.

I jut my bottom lip out just enough for Mom’s glare to weaken. “I was planning on doing it today.”

“Oh, I had no doubt about that,” Mama reassures me.

Leaning into her side, I give her a quick hug that she returns immediately. Bryce is making an obvious effort to not look my way now that Claudine appeared, and I release my mom when I catch her shifting awkwardly.

It’s instinct and a drive to soothe that has me reaching for Bryce and taking her hand, interlocking our fingers. She squeezes me so hard that I have to hide my wince, but I don’t for one second contemplate releasing my hold.

“I don’t know about you, Claudine, but I think my heart nearly exploded just now when I saw them together. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen our Daisy girl look so enamoured by someone,” Mama gushes.

Her statement takes me by surprise. Not because of how observant she is, but because I didn’t know I had been so obvious. Has Bryce noticed? Is it playing a part in why she’s always the first to break our kisses? To set a boundary?

I flush with embarrassment and stumble over my next words. “Don’t be so dramatic, Mama.”

“She’s only being honest. The both of you look very happy together,” Mom says, her eyes soft as she stares at me.

Bryce seems to snap out of whatever thoughts she was trapped within and flashes a close-lipped smile. For a reason thatI won’t deny stems from my rapidly growing possessive instinct, I’m glad it wasn’t a toothy grin. I want those to be for me and nobody else.

Her palm is slick against mine when she lifts the back of my hand to her lips and drifts them across my knuckles. The hint of a spark in her gaze lights me up inside. “I won’t speak for Daisy, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

It sounds so real. So believable. My mind runs laps trying to figure out how it’s so easy for her to say these things and convince my silly heart it’s the truth.

“Me too,” I whisper, not caring if anyone but her hears.

Claudine clears her throat and fusses with her hair again. “I do not know yet. It feels so sudden.”

My breathing stutters. Bryce brings our hands to her chest, appearing unbothered. I search her face for any tell that she’s surprised by her mother’s comment or her lack of belief in our relationship, but her every thought and emotion are hidden behind an impenetrable wall.

“Believe what you want. It won’t change anything,” she says coolly.

Mom stares at her for a long, silent second before the corner of her mouth tugs up, and she nods in approval. The wink she shoots me has me huffing a laugh.

The look she gives Claudine, however, is not as lighthearted. It’s safe to say that her Mama Bear instincts have been awoken.

“Ultimately, we will always choose to believe and support our daughter. Even if I couldn’t see what I am with my own eyes, I still wouldn’t voice my doubt. Daisy has always been very sure of herself, and from the way we know Bryce, I’m confident that she is the same way. If not even a little more headstrong.”

Mama nods along with her wife. “We are very happy for the two of you. Hopefully, you’ll come by again soon so we can get to know you a bit more, Bryce?”

Bryce doesn’t hesitate. “Just say when.”

My stomach flutters, and I blink to fight the sting behind my eyes. Maybe I’m close to getting my period, but her certainty hits me too deep. It picks at the scabs that have grown over the rejection and doubt I’ve been struggling with, making every wound fresh and sensitive.

As subtly as possible, I pull my fingers from Bryce’s and paste a smile on my face. “I just remembered that I have to make a phone call this afternoon. I’ll be right back.”

It’s a miracle my voice doesn’t shake as I lie. My moms don’t stop me as I head for the house, keeping my emotions hidden beneath a mask of nonchalance.

I don’t wait to hear if Bryce has stayed, and I tell myself that it doesn’t matter if she has. I’m not her real girlfriend, so she’s not obligated to check on me.

Once I pass the kitchen, the rest of the house is empty. Everyone’s too busy enjoying one of our last few days of semi-warm weather to bother with hiding inside.

Muscle memory guides me to my old bedroom, and I grip the door handle with a sweaty palm. With a swing, I send the door cutting through the air. Something smacks against it, and the force stops it in its tracks.

My eyes widen as Bryce sidesteps the door and enters my room with tension lining her every movement. I take two steps back, putting space between us that I don’t want. She narrows her eyes on my legs and closes the door, sealing us alone inside my room.

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