Page 11 of Family Bonds: Coy & Angel

“I know,” she said. “But it’s worth it. It’s the only way to find out, don’t you think?”

“It is,” her mother said. “I’m not sure I would have done this, but you’ve always been a stubborn one.”

“I have been,” she said, nodding her head.

“Would you have taken this job if Coy was in a relationship with someone?” her mother asked.

“I don’t know,” she said.

It would have depended on how serious that relationship was. The last thing she wanted to do was subject herself to seeing him with another woman starting right out.

She knew he’d dated over the years. Even had some serious girlfriends. But they never lasted.

She’d also heard Spencer say a lot of women didn’t like or want to live on the island and tried to talk Coy into moving to Boston.

She figured it would help her case if she was already living here.

She was adaptable, but she’d done a crazy amount of research on the island over the years too and it almost felt like home to her already.

“How are you going to feel if he starts to date someone?”

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it,” she said and prayed it didn’t happen. “You’re not going to say anything to Dad, are you?”

“I haven’t yet, I won’t now,” her mother said. “I thought you’d outgrow it. You’ve dated and had boyfriends. I think that might have thrown your father and Spencer off the scent. Maybe I thought one of them would stick.”

She wasn’t stupid enough to put her life on hold for a man seven years older than her living in another state who saw her as nothing more than his best friend’s baby sister.

So she lived her life like a normal person her age.

Did she think she’d find someone to have a life with? She didn’t know, but shedidtry.

Nothing and no one stuck.

When it came time to look for jobs, Spencer had said Coy was still looking. She mentioned that she’d love to give it a try if Coy was willing, considering their relationship.

She thought for sure Spencer would throw a fit that it might upset his bro dynamic, but he actually loved the idea.

She’d been stunned until her brother said, “He’ll watch out for you just like I would. It’s the next best thing. I think it’s perfect. I’ll see what Coy thinks.”

That was annoying, but she’d take any advantage she could and work around it.

“They didn’t stick,” she said, thinking of her past boyfriends.

“And now you get to see how this goes?” her mother asked.

“It’s not like I’m going to tell him, Mom,” she said, laughing. “I’m here for a job and that is what my next step is. I’ve got no grand plan other than seeing how it goes being closer to each other.”

Her mother shook her head. “You always have a grand plan, but I won’t pester you about it. Just know that you can talk to me about it. I’m serious. If you need a shoulder to lean on, I’m here.”

Angel stopped and hugged her mother. “Thank you for that.”

“Any time. I want to wish you luck, but I’m not sure as your mother I should.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because you’re my baby and maybe I’m not ready for you to grow up yet, even though you’re twenty-six.”

“I’m an adult,” she said. “But I’ll always be your baby. Just don’t tell Dad or Spencer I said that.”

---