Page 98 of Suddenly Entwined

“We aren’t? Because it sort of feels like fighting.”

“I’m sorry I overreacted. I was freaked out and didn’t know what happened. This email just says she’s suspended due to an incident involving violence.”

Oh, boy. Talk about leaving out the important stuff.

“Can I take that hug now?” I ask.

He nods, opening his arms back up. I relax against him, letting some of the stress fall away.

“I’ll explain everything. It might be better to have the info before starting your barricade negotiations.”

“I agree. Are you okay? Are we okay?” He tips my chin up to see my eyes and I’m reminded of the day at Lou’s birthday party when he checked that I was alright.

“Yeah. You?”

“I am now. I guess I’m still not used to having someone else around that can help me manage things. I felt left out. Hurt.”

“Next time your daughter punches someone, I’ll loop you in faster.”

Berg chest muscles jump beneath my cheek and the next thing I know, I’m being held at arm's length.

“Punches someone?” he says slowly, eyes narrowing.

“Let’s go talk,” I take his hand, and tug him toward his bedroom.

Chapter thirty-three

Berg

It took some convincing, but Natalie finally let me into the bathroom so we could have a heart to heart.

“You don’t know what it’s like, Daddy. And neither does Caro. Nobody understands.”

“It can feel like that sometimes,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “Like nobody in the world gets what we’re going through.”

She crosses her arms, chin pointing up. “Well, they don’t.”

We’re taking up residence on our respective bath mats, and I’m trying to listen twice as much as I talk.

“Everyone has tough stuff happening in their lives, Natalie. We might not always know what it is or understand it, but even if it looks like somebody has the perfect story, they probably don’t.”

“Like Milly?”

“Yeah, even her life isn’t perfect.”

I knew that Tamara was a widow, and I have to say that while she still isn’t my favourite person, I can respect the changes she’s trying to make.

“Can we get out of the bathroom now? I’m hungry, and I think Carolina made supper.”

Natalie’s eyes are red and puffy from crying. My heart aches for her, but I can only hope I’ve done what I can to help her handle these big feelings.

“I have to say sorry to Caro, don’t I?”

I shrug, secretly happy she came to that conclusion on her own.

“If you were rude to her, that’s probably a good idea.”

“I actually do like when she calls me honey. But I don’t know if I should like it. You know?”

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