Page 80 of Playing A Risk
She grabs my forearm. “One more thing before we go have some pie. Well, actually two, so will you sit back down?”
“Sure.” I sit and give her my attention.
She stares at her hands. After a moment, she slides my mom’s ring off her finger and holds it out for me. “I don’t want to do this, but I’m feeling nice today. Here, take this back.”
A wave of relief floods my veins as I take the ring. “Thank you. Like I said, I’ll get you one to replace this, but it won’t have the same meaning.”
“I know, and that’s why I don’t want another one. You’re lucky it’s Christmas.” She forces a smile that doesn’t line up with her sad mood. “But there’s one last thing I want from you.”
I brace myself because I knew this was going too well. “What’s that?”
“When we leave here tonight, do you mind if I come by and get some of Aricin’s things?”
My first instinct is to say no. I don’t want to give anything of his away. Somehow, that’s like I’m saying I’m moving on. My heart collapses. I glance at the ring in my hand and my decision is made.
I swallow my selfishness. “Sure, that will be fine. But I’d like to be with you when you do, so I know what you’re taking.”
“Of course, but the only thing I really want is the blanket your friend had. Maybe a few of the stuffed animals, but I’ll decide when I’m there.”
“Yeah, that should be fine.” I stand and adjust my clothes, trying to ignore the agony that fills my soul. “Let’s go eat some pie.”
We find Chuck and spend the rest of our time discussing our plans for the future. With Lauren moving and getting the help she needs, I have a good feeling she’ll be okay.
As for me, I’m a feather in the wind. Disconnected from anything solid and floating aimlessly around.
I don’t know if I’ll stay here after the app launches. Starting fresh sounds like a nice plan.
Everything depends on what happens with Dori when she finally opens the lines of communication. But luck has never been on our side, so I don’t have much hope.
Lauren and I say goodbye to Chuck and return to my apartment complex. We’re waiting for the elevator and preparing for a tough time going through our son’s belongings. Lauren snuggles into my chest and cries, so I hold her in my arms and kiss the top of her head.
Melanie and Jonah round the corner, hand in hand, just as it takes place. I freeze and wait for Dori and Hunter, but Melanie interrupts my wish of running into Dori.
“Well, well, well. I see you’re having a Merry Christmas.” Melanie drops Jonah’s hand and folds her arms.
She raises her brows, and her gaze falls to my chest. It hits me, Lauren’s still clinging to me, and I’ve got my arms wrapped around her. This is the worst thing that could’ve happened.
There’s no chance that Melanie won’t tell Dori about this. And because of that, any hope of salvaging my relationship with Dori just went straight to hell.
CHAPTER 20
DORI
Mel grabsmy hands and bounces up and down. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Hunter knocks on my open door. “Are you two ready to go?”
I laugh and glance at Melanie. “I think she’s been ready since she returned with Jonah last night.”
“Of course I was. I couldn’t wait to get back here from packing Jonah’s bag. I knew you would be opening Hunter’s Christmas present and couldn’t wait to celebrate with you.” She grabs my suitcase off the bed. “Paris, here we come.”
Hunter takes it from her hands. “I’ll get this. You go make sure Jonah has everything you need.”
“Smart thinking, boss man.” She flips Hunter’s shirt collar as she passes, practicing random French phrases on her way down the hall.
I sigh as she enters the guest room they’ve been sharing. Hunter steps inside my room and shuts the door behind him.
“I just wanted to give you this.” He takes two strides, closing the space between us, and lifts my chin with his fingers.
