Page 25 of Anything For This Love

I bristle at her comment, an unexpected ache settling in my chest.So she’s just written me off? Doesn’t she give a shit about fixing what’s broken between us?Once again, she let me down, but this time I can’t blame the drugs. This is just her.

I swallow my pride and push back the hurt her dismissal causes and nod my head. Chloe’s other grandmother may never become a constant in her life, and although my grandmother has been more than anyone could hope for, she could still use another grandparent in her corner to love her unconditionally. I won’t accept anything less.

“Before you meet her,” I begin, stepping in front of her and blocking the path to Chloe’s room, “I want to make one thing very clear. If you hurt her or put her in harm's way at all, that will be the last time you see her.” Her slender jaw ticks but she gives me one curt nod, indicating her understanding. I don’t care if I make her mad or hurt her feelings. Chloe is my priority.

I lead her into Chloe’s room and step aside, letting her in. She takes a tentative step towards Chloe and then another. Crouching down next to her on the floor, she watches my daughter play with her dolls, a slow smile creeping over her face.

“Hi Chloe,” she greets, her voice raw with emotion. “I’m your grandma.”

“Hi,” Chloe returns cheerily. She hands over one of her dolls, expectation shining in her eyes. My mother studies her, her gaze taking in every feature. She takes the doll awkwardly, unsure what to do with it.

“She looks just like you did at that age.” Her smile grows, reminiscence sparkling in her eyes. “Except for the eyes, of course. I assume she got those from her father.”

“Yes,” I answer simply.

“Will I get to meet him?”

Caught off guard, I stutter, looking for a valid excuse to say no. I don’t want my mother around Jacob. God only knows what she’ll say to him.

“I doubt it. He won’t be coming back to visit for a while.” She quirks her brow quizzically and I mentally kick myself for that revelation. I have no idea how much she knows about Jacob, but I don’t want her knowing he’s not around much. I have a sneaking suspicion she’ll use that as ammo against me if she finds a way for it to benefit her. I may have compassion for what she’s been through, but I’m not naive. I know what she’s like and I don’t expect that to miraculously change.

“That’s unfortunate.”

She has no idea.

My phone rings with an incoming video call just after dinner. I rush to my room to answer it, glancing into the living room to ensure Chloe is occupied before shutting myself inside.

“Hey,” I answer breathlessly as Jacob’s face pops onto my screen.

“Hey, yourself.” His lips turn up in a crooked grin. “How are you?”

I let out a huff of air and my shoulders slump. “It’s been a long day.”

“What happened? Is Chloe alright?” His eyes dart around like he’s searching for her in the tiny window of his view of my room.

“Chloe is fine. We, uh, had an unexpected visitor today.”

Trepidation fills his face. “Who?”

“Umm, my mother.”

His mouth drops open and he blinks in surprise. “Wh-what? Did you just say your mother’s back?”

“Yep,” I reply, popping the p.

“That’s … wow. I don’t even know what to say. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. It’s been tough. She didn’t get the warm and fuzzy welcome she expected, and I got hit with a reminder of how little I mean to her. She seems to be gaga over Chloe, though.” I shrug, even though it hurts that she has no interest in trying to repair the damage to our relationship.

“I’m sorry, Abby. You and Chloe can come stay with me while she’s there if you want.”

“I wish we could, but I have work.”

“It was worth a shot.” That boyish grin is back in place and all I want to do is say yes. “At least we have your visit coming up soon. If she’s still around in a couple weeks, you’ll have an excuse to get away from her.”

I cringe at the thought of her being here that long but hide my unease with a halfhearted smile. “True.”

“Can I see Chloe?”

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