Page 77 of Unexpected Love
The heartbreaking truth is that, if Dani chooses, Charlie could be gone by morning. Because she never told me the rest of the story, how she got out of jail, nor why she’s here.
Chapter 31
Cal
Dani’s phone rings with the most obnoxious, inappropriate ringtone as Mac and family make their exit. She glances at the caller ID and huffs as a litany of curse words from a rap song fills the room, then returns it to her back pocket without answering or muting the ringer. Seconds after that blessed silence falls, the song blares again.
“Jesus, Dani,” I bark. “Either answer it or decline it.” I’ve tried very hard to keep things kid friendly ever since that dinner at Steve’s when the littles started repeating cuss words. Charlie is a little sponge right now, and the last thing I want is to hear the wordfuckfall from her lips.
Dani gives me an eye roll, but the obnoxious sound ends.
“Who are you avoiding?” I lean with my back to the kitchen island and glare at my sister. I’m not going to go soft on her. She didn’t give me the full story earlier. I know it, and she knows I know. I also know she’ll try to skate by with the bare minimum of effort if I allow it.
Dani glances at Jules. “Can thiswait?”
“No. Jules is as much a part of this as I am. She’s been the one covering nights for me when I have to work.”
Jules clears her throat. “Actually. I think Dani is right. This needs to be between the two of you.”
My eyes flash to her, even as my fingers tighten, gripping the counter behind me. Not this again. Not her pulling awayagain. We’ve been over this so many times already. I want her here. I always want her here.
She closes the distance between us and stops with her hand on my chest. “Talk it out with your sister. Call me later.” She goes up on tiptoe to press a kiss to my lips. If I let go of this countertop, I’ll want to wrap my arms around her. And she’s seen me weak enough today.
I forcibly relax my shoulders and ease my hands around Jules’s waist. “Okay.”
She goes out the balcony door to her apartment, and Dani doesn’t miss the exchange.
“So it’s like that?”
“Like what?”
“Serious? With Jules, I mean.”
“It’s getting there.”
Dani picks at the edge of her shirt. “Okay. That’s kind of weird, but to each their own, I guess.”
I’m taken aback.
“How’s it weird?”
Dani’s hand flops into her lap. “You know. She’s just a lot older. That’s all.”
“She’s not that much older.”
“I’d be willing to bet that she’s old enough that she could be my mom. That’s weird.”
Now that she mentions it, I guess she’s right. If Jules had been like Dani and gotten pregnant at sixteen. But Idon’t see an older woman when I look at Jules. I just see my woman.
“Whatever. So she’s too old for you, but she’s perfect for me. Now, let’s back up and go over all the things that you neglected to share earlier.”
She retreats to the floor in front of the couch and gathers Charlie onto her lap, who allows it for all of two seconds before she’s off and running again.
Dani’s gaze follows her daughter for a long moment before she sighs.
“You know, I hated you for a while when you left.” Her admission hits me like a punch in the gut. “You were my hero, and you left me.”
“Dani, I?—”
