Page 100 of The Trouble With Her (The Forbidden Love 4)

“No,” she whispers. “Time, my girl. Give it time to fall into place.”

When breakfast is finished, the goodbyes begin but not without a few tears shed. I hugged everyone tightly, but when it’s time to say goodbye to Andy, I notice many people turn away. It doesn’t mean I can freely kiss him by any means.

I place my arms around him, but even in his embrace, he purposely holds back.

“Wait for me,” I whisper. “Please?”

Pulling away, he simply nods with his eyes a darker shade, then turns his attention to Bentley. He picks him up, kissing his forehead with a dull stare.

“I’m gonna miss you, buddy.”

“An-dee,” Bentley stammers with a smile.

Andy touches the chain around his neck, placing the plane pendant on his finger.

“What’s this, Bentley?”

“Plane, And-ee, plane,” he says, then claps his hands.

“Good boy!”

With a small kiss on his forehead, Andy places him back down to look at me one more time. I know this hurts him just as much as it pains me. To not even be able to kiss him is extremely difficult.

And the truth is, we have no idea when we’ll be able to see each other next because right now, all the cards are being held by the one man I’m dreading the most.

* * *

Before I leave for England, there’s one important stop I need to make.

I sit inside the kitchen of Uncle Lex and Aunt Charlie’s house, not long after our breakfast. My bags were already packed, and Dad offered to pick me up in an hour. Both he and Kate are back at the house, spending time with Bentley.

The Edwards’ house feels very much like home because so much of my childhood was spent running around inside this very house along with my cousins. There were sleepovers, parties—so many memories at this property.

Aunt Charlie slides a cup of coffee over to me while she takes a seat with her cup in hand.

“I’ll leave you two ladies to chat.”

“No,” I call out. “Stay, Uncle Lex. Please.”

He takes a seat beside Aunt Charlie, his posture straight and presence always felt inside the room.

As the steam of my cup rises, I run my finger along the rim and draw in a deep breath.

“I need some advice,” I stall, then begin again. “About my rights should I leave Benedict.”

Aunt Charlie doesn’t appear shocked. Her expression is more concerned than anything. Her brows draw together. Then she looks inward. “For starters, are we talking custody rights?”

“Yes.”

“Initially, you’re both entitled to joint custody unless the courts see a parent as unfit.”

“Court?” I ask, panicked.

“Yes, most of the time. There are, at times, couples who remain amicable and come to an agreement without having to settle in court.”

I highly doubt Benedict can be amicable about anything, not if Rosemarie has anything to do with it. The coffee demands my attention, so I take a long-winded sip before asking more questions.

“But what if I want to move back here with Bentley?”

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