Page 52 of Perfect Composition
“Do you know my name from these?” She lays her hand on top of Carys’s files.
I don’t pretend. “Yes. And because your mother told me your name downstairs.”
Another long, slow blink. “She did? What else did she say?”
“To be kind to you, that you’ve had too many shocks today.”God, Paige hasn’t changed a bit, has she?I think to myself. Or at least I think I do.
But when a smile—my smile, I realize with some surprise—crosses my daughter’s face, I realize I might not have been so circumspect. Austyn announces, “Well, obviously, Beckett is on Team Mama and not Team Douche.”
“He’d better be. Because she didn’t deserve a damn thing that happened to her. Or to you,” Carys declares. “Don’t worry about your mama, sweetie. We’re all going to protect her. Right, Dad?” She skewers me with a look that easily says,Don’t mess this up.
I manage to push out around the boulder that’s lodged against my vocal cords, “Right. I swear, Austyn, I’ll do everything I can to protect your mother.”
She lets out a huge sigh of relief, her body sagging into Carys’s.
I blurt out the first of a million questions I have for my fully grown daughter. “So, you were born in Austin?”
Carys emits a light chuckle. “Finally, I’ll get Austyn’s version of the story.”
Austyn shakes her head, a small, sad smile lifting her lips. “Actually, no. I was born in Kensington. Mama used to tell me she had a big fight with Gramps about it. She said there was no way in hell she was naming her child Kensington Kensington. Mama said she informed Gramps she would either name me Austyn or after my father— now I understand that means you. It was Gramps' choice.”
For a brief moment, I think about all the battles Paige must have fought for this girl, but I shove the thought aside when Austyn leaves the safety of Carys’s embrace. She takes a tentative step toward me. Then another, until she’s standing right next to me.
And I realize I was right that night at Redemption: she has my eyes.
My own burn when she holds out her hand. “Austyn Melissa Kensington. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
I take her hand and tug her slightly. With a small cry, she flies forward against my shirt. I bury my head against her multihued braids. “The pleasure is definitely mine, Austyn.”
Her arms tighten around me hesitantly before she lets go. And I’m not ashamed of the tears that fall from my eyes that everyone can see. What I’m devastated by is that Paige isn’t here to understand. I don’t blame her, though I plan on finding out every detail about what happened from Carys.
What I need to find Paige for is to thank her profusely for the gift she just brought to my life.
But where did she go?
PAIGE
CHAPTER TWENTY
People are more aware of the loss of loved ones during the holiday season. Here at Beautiful Today, we encourage you to take time to remember those you’ve lost. If you don’t feel like participating in a holiday event, don’t. And above all, take time for you.
— Beautiful Today
The plane lands with a bump on the tarmac in Austin. I never even bothered to check out of the hotel in New York since I plan on flying back to my daughter just as soon as I get this confrontation over with. But I couldn’t let this fester inside me, not when I have so much more to deal with. Instead, I hopped on the last flight out of New York back home.
It’s almost 11:30 p.m. by the time I pull up to my father’s front door, but I don’t care about the late hour or the inconvenience of waking him. I’ve had hours in the air to reread the files I asked for Carys to send to me.
And I’m more than prepared to say some things to this man who manipulated so much about my life.
Pulling up in the circular drive, I shove my car in park, leaving the engine running, lights on full blast. I don’t grab a thing except my iPad before I storm up to the front door still wearing the same dress and heels I slipped into this morning. I immediately start ringing the bell and alternately pounding on the heavy knocker over and over until I see the lights turn on in the hall foyer.
That’s when I stop and step back.
My father flings the door open, a snarl on his lips before he sees me. Then his face smooths out. “Paigey! What’s going on? Come in. Why didn’t you use your key?”
I don’t move an inch from where I’m standing, even though my body is quaking. “How could you?” It’s the only question I want answered.
“Paigey, what on earth are you talking about, girl? Come inside your home and talk…”
