Page 170 of Between Hate and Desire

Lennon nods, then gives her a small smile. “I love you too, Mom.” When they hug, Lennon accepts her apology and ultimately forgives her mother’s behavior. She wants her parents in their lives more than she wants to hold a grudge.

“I’m not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed when I found out you weren’t married,” her dad tells me. “It’s not too late for you two, so I’m not giving up. But…” He looks at his wife, and they hold a silent conversation before he continues. “When you’re both ready.”

My heart throbs hard in my chest when he gives me an encouraging wink. They could see how Ireallyfeel about their daughter, and even after everything that happened—the lies we told—they’re here hugging, loving, and, most importantly, accepting Lennon’s life choices.

“Do you want to meet Alison?” Lennon asks with a proud grin.

“Yes, please!” Mrs. Corrigan pleads. “More than anything.”

Lennon takes Allie from her bouncer and carefully places her in her mom’s arms. Mr. Corrigan reaches for her little hand and holds it while they both stare at her beauty. The love they have for their grandbaby is immediate. Tears stream down Lennon’s mother’s face and her dad looks at Alison with so much admiration, even I choke up. All of this takes me by surprise, and I can only imagine how Lennon feels. By the tears on her cheeks, it’s pure happiness.

Lennon’s mom notices our breakfast on the table and tells us to eat while they hold the baby. The two of us nearly inhale our food, and I don’t even mind that it’s cold. Them showing up was a nice and unexpected surprise. Lennon smiles, and I can tell by the look on her face that there’s so much she wants to say right now but doesn’t. Occasionally, she glances at her parents with Alison and smiles wide. Once we’re finished eating, we join them in the living room.

As we continue to make small talk, Lennon’s mouth falls open. “Dad, you missed the first Sunday service of the new year.”

“It’s because I love you. We love you so much,” he says.

“I love you too.” Her bottom lip trembles. “Thank you.”

As I look around the room, all I can do is smile. I can see the love they have for each other, and it’s something that was always missing from my household growing up. Something that can’t be faked. It’s more than real, just as my feelings for Lennon are. Her parents see it. She knows it.

She takes Alison from her mother and smiles at me. Something streams between us, something unspoken and dangerous. That line she drew in the sand seems to be disappearing, regardless that I’ve tried to keep my distance and give her space.

Her dad asks if we’re dating, and I’m almost certain Lennon blushes. “No, Dad. Hunter’s my best friend, and we were pretending. He was my fake husband, but we are roommates.”

He shrugs with a knowing grin. “For now,” he confidently says with a wink.

Lennon bites her bottom lip, and pink hues hit her cheeks.

Maybe things will be different this year after all.

I haven’t given up on her—on us—and neither have her parents apparently.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

LENNON

Tonight will bemy first official night without Alison. I’m only mildly freaking out.

Okay,a lotfreaking out.

She’s only six weeks old, and it feels like it’s too soon, but the longer I wait, the harder it’s going to be if I don’t rip off the Band-Aid and trust she’ll be okay without me for one night. Plus, it’s Maddie’s twentieth birthday, so it’s the perfect opportunity to practice for when I go back to work. I know she mostly sleeps and eats right now anyway, but it doesn’t stop the mom guilt.

I pump every day, so I know I have plenty of milk for her, but that didn’t stop me from checking her diaper bag fifty times to make sure I packed everything before I dropped her off at Mrs. Locke’s house.

Hunter was so sweet and encouraging, telling me it was time I got out of the house and learned to socialize again. Okay, sweet might not be the right word, rather, he mocked me and said I needed to wear real clothes again.

So here I am at the bar for Maddie’s birthday celebration and ordering my first alcoholic drink in almost a year.

“Better be drinking that one for me,” Maddie taunts when I return to our table. “I can’t believe I have another year before I canlegallydrink.”

“Don’t be in such a rush to grow up,” Sophie says, typing out a text. “After twenty-one, it all goes downhill anyway.”

“Well, that’s encouraging.” Maddie chuckles.

I snort at the irony, considering neither of us has our shit together. Sophie’s been dating Weston for almost two months, and things are getting serious.

“I want to be old enough to buy my own drinks and graduate college. Then time can freeze,” Maddie quips. “Also, didn’t we sayno textingtonight, Soph?” she scolds her, reaching over the table for Sophie’s phone.

---