Page 134 of Five Days to Be Mine

“It brought up a lot of emotions. In a way, it was cathartic.”

“Is that good or bad?” I trace the curve of her stomach gently.

“I don’t know. I was reminded of how people sometimes make comments about how I can’t do something because of my weight. Like I can’t run because I’m too heavy.”

Her voice wobbles. I brush my lips against hers, fury rolling through my blood. I want to hurt anyone who said that to her.

“Who said things like that to you, your old bosses?”

“No...they’d make off-handed comments about my weight, but in my experience it’s because the person saying it is being intentionally cruel.”

She squeezes her eyes tight.

“Mara, I think you’re perfect. I love you. You don’t have to tell me, but I need you to know you can tell me anything.”

“My dad,” she bites out.

Her hair is soft and I twirl it around my finger, giving her space to fill the silence if she wants.

“He’s not a good person. When I was a kid, he always tried to dare me to do something. Like, ’I dare you to run to the stop sign and back,’ or he’d put my favourite candy on top of the cupboard and tell me if I could do ten jumping jacks, he’d give it to me. Then he’d dare me to lose weight and then say things like nobody would take me to the homecoming dance because I was too fat.”

Mara laughs. “Do you know a bunch of my friends and I skipped the dance to go to an art show? I’m still in touch with them. My mom and him split that year. But that’s when I found out he’d been using my personal information to take out credit cards and apparently was in thousands and thousands of dollars of debt.”

I shake my head, thinking of my scatterbrained, occupied father who was always in his own world but still made time for us. My dad is gentle and kind, and I couldn’t imagine having a bully at home.

“That sounds awful. I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

“I got through college with scholarships and my stepdad Bryan pitching in. My mom had been unhappy for years, trying to pay off my father’s debts. She and Bryan had a quick romance of their own.” Mara squeezes my hand.

“So. when you told me getting a business loan wasn’t possible…”

“It’s because my dad screwed up my finances pretty badly. And I didn’t do anything about it.”

My brain goes into high gear, thinking there must be a way I can help solve this for her.

If I had to spend every last cent in all my bank accounts to make her life easier, I would.

“If you hadn’t given me the space and the funds for my business, it would have remained a dream.”

“No.” I squeeze her hands. “Maybe you wouldn’t be sharing space with Steff, but you would be doing it, Mara. You’re too determined and driven to have let yourself down.”

“Thank you. I’d like to think that you’re right.

“Believe me, princess, I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do.”

“It’s a lot easier when your credit isn’t wrecked.”

“Through no fault of your own,” I say. “Do you see him?”

“He comes around once a year or so and asks me for money. But I don’t have a relationship with him and I won’t.” Her mouth is in a hard line.

I drop a kiss to her temple. “Good girl.”

I’m so proud of her for telling me about her dad, but I want to ease us out of this heavy conversation.

“I got a bruise on my ribs from someone’s elbow.”

Mara giggles. “Sorry.”

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