Page 16 of Taste Of You

What the hell just happened?

And more importantly, why do I feel like this is the end of something that never was?

“You’re working too hard, Camille. You need some time off,” Sandy admonishes, holding a sleeping Lily in her arms late Saturday evening. It’s been two days since Jet and I kissed. Two days since he left without so much as a smoke signal to let me know we are good.

That is, until an hour ago.

Short staffed. Come in @5p.m. instead. ~JetA

That’s it. Nothing else, just a get here.

It both pisses me off and hurts that he doesn’t seem to care. That our moment isn’t of importance to him, while for me it’s everything and more.

It gave me hope. Something to be selfish over.

“Not much of a choice—you know this.” Pursing my lips, I let out a huff. Not at her, but the entire situation. “Plus, we need the money. To prove that I’m responsible and can manage.”

Because I don’t have a choice. That right was taken away from me. My life will never be the same.

One hour after speaking to Mom while they were on their way home from an event and…gone.

All it takes is one drunk driver at the wheel thinking he can make it—that he’s okay to drive—for someone you love to perish.

Leaving me all alone with my sister’s daughter to care for, school to attend, and some money in an insurance policy that pays the majority of our bills and Lily’s pediatric care. Kids are expensive, and she became mine with the agreement that Sandy stays to help out. That she live with us until I’m at the least twenty-one.

We were—and aren’t—rich by any means, but it’s enough to live a comfortable lifestyle that I would trade in a heartbeat to have them with us once more.

For Lily to have her mom again.

“A day off won’t kill you, kiddo. Go out. Get into very minor trouble.” Too late, I almost say, but instead shrug with a half-smile.

Sandy’s been with the family since Lily’s birth. Hired by our parents, she took care of the baby while Natasha made the push to finish her last two years of residency after taking a small hiatus to have her daughter.

She was a single mother, the sperm donor choosing to sign his rights away after Lily’s birth. I looked up to my sister, and still do; her drive and determination almost gave her the title of oncologist she dreamed of. Almost.

Ten years my senior, Natasha never made me feel like an annoyance. Instead, we were best friends. Closer than most sisters will ever be.

If she were alive today, she would give me so much shit over Jet. Tease me about having an older-man fetish.

A low grunt meets my ears, and I laugh. “Her mom would do the same thing when exhausted. She used to crash on the couch after a late night of studying and snore/grunt all night.”

At almost two years old, Lily is a mini replica of my sister: light brown hair, clear blue eyes, and a loud wailer when hungry.

She’s gotten so big over the last year. Wants to get into everything even though her chubby little legs keep her on her butt more often than not. Girl trips over air like Natasha.

God, if she were here to see this. To enjoy her baby girl.

“Quit changing the subject, kiddo.” Sandy gives me a pointed look. “You know I’m here for whatever you need.”

“I know that, but I have to keep going.”

Reaching over, she grabs my hand and squeezes. “Sweetheart, it’s okay to live.”

If only she knew. Jet brings me life.

He gives me his very soul; a shock to my system. Jet brought forth dormant desires with a single touch of his lips to mine. His hunger makes my heart beat faster than ever before.

My skin prickles at the memory.

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