Page 41 of Hers to Love
Kori smiled. Sabrina was an intense life coach. Her brand of training would only cater to a particular personality type.
“And since I don’t have a man to dump all that on, it’ll have to be you.”
“I’m not offended in any way.”
“I’m still offended you waited until you werein loveto tell me that you had the hots for my dad.”
Kori’s cheeks warmed, even though she was alone in her room. “I was there before I knew it.”
“Did you know when the plane was going down?”
“Before then. Right before.”
Kori remembered how Marshall had broken up her argument with Jarod. He had refused to accept her plan to sign any agreement that would protect him and his company. He hadn’t fired her because he was on her side. He wanted her.
“I don’t ever want to hear about you kissing him,” Sabrina said sternly. “He thinks he’s a stud. Knowing that is enough to make me gag.”
Kori stifled a giggle. Marshall was a stud. More than that. And his kiss was amazing. Kori wished Sabrina wasn’t his step-daughter so she could tell her all about it. But did this mean they were still friends? That Sabrina was okay with her being with her father?
“Sabrina—”
“He doesn’t need my permission, actually. He’s a grown man. He can do whatever he wants. And he’s never wanted anything more in his life. Even more than making his marriage work with my mom. I can hear it in his voice, Kori.”
“Sabrina, we understand this puts you in an awkward position, and we wouldn’t want you to feel—”
Sabrina bellowed. “Awkward doesn’t pretend to cover it. But it’s not like it’sGame of Thronesbad. Icky, but notGame of Thronesicky. He’s not even blood.”
“But…you call him ‘Dad.’”
“Yeah, because he’s the only one I’ve ever known. Legally, heismy father. He adopted me when I was seventeen. I’ve called him Dad ever since. Sometimes Marshall when I’m pissed. But since we’re not even blood, he’s free to be with my best friend. But if you think I’m going to call you Mommy when you marry him, then you’ve lost your mind.”
Heat filled Kori’s neck and face. Marriage? “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Kori said quickly. “I…we haven’t gotten to that step.” Although Marshall had heavily implied it over dinner the night before. It was too far in the future for Kori to dwell on it. She had a lawsuit to worry about first.
“I mean…you’d be a far better mom than my own mother ever was to me,” Sabrina said thoughtfully.
Sabrina was right, this was icky. “Sabrina, we don’t have to talk about this,” Kori whined. In fact, Kori was fine if they never discussed it. Ever.
Sabrina let out a huge sigh. “I didn’t say no to my father,” she said with a heavy voice. “How could I say no to the man who didn’t say no to me when he could’ve—should’ve—run for the hills when he met me.” Sabrina sobbed on the other end.
Kori’s eyes filled with tears, and she sniffed. “Sabrina, what are you talking about? He loves you! He only ever says the best things about you.”
“We ruined him. My mother, mostly. He wanted so badly to be a father that he married her, and she tore his heart out. He didn’t have to be a father to a kid who wasn’t his own, but he was. He told me that meeting me had sealed the deal for him. He’d spent much of his life chasing his professional dreams and not ever wanting family and kids—until he met me. I just had to come with a mother who’d be responsible for him losing his heart.”
Kori collapsed onto her bed. She’d never heard Sabrina talk this way. She firmly believed it didn’t take blood to make a family. Sabrina had been her “sister” for years. She’d do anything for her.
Even give up Marshall.
But now to hear that she thought herself the root of Marshall’s problems? “Sabrina, Marshall wouldn’t—doesn’t blame you at all. He takes full responsibility for what’s happened the last year.”
“I know. And he shouldn’t. My mother lost a good man. But if he had seen into the future, I think—”
“He would’ve still adopted you,” Kori cut in firmly. “He would’ve done it.” Tears poured down her cheeks, her heart aching for her friend’s own pain. “You know he would’ve. Don’t you dare believe any different. How could he not? You’re amazing. You two still have a relationship. A real bond.You’rehis daughter.”
“I know I am,” she said with a sniff. “But I never wanted him to suffer. My mother wasn’t good for him. I don’t even know how he fell for her.”
Kori briefly thought of her own mother. How did she fall for Gregory Kaye? He must’ve been wearing sheep’s clothing. “Yeah…it’s strange how people fall in love.”
“Not so strange for you and my dad. You’re an amazing woman. Strong and resilient. And he’s the best father a stupid teenager could ever hope for.”
