Page 125 of Abyss

The door to Kavi’s room shuts with an inaudible click, almost as if she’s trying to stay as unnoticed as possible, and Maddy turns to me inside my living room. “Wait.She lives here?” she blurts, large saucer eyes directed at me. “How long?”

I grimace. “Practically all summer.”

Her shoulders slump, like all the fight inside her is fleeing. “Wow,” she whispers, almost to herself. “All summer, and you didn’t think to tell me? Neither of you?”

Rubbing my temples, I explain, “It was supposed to be temporary while she worked on the RCS account. She lived across the bay and was having to take the subway . . .” I explain, knowing I’m not telling her everything—that there was an inexplicable connection I felt with her friend, one I couldn’t get myself to break. A connection I wanted to cultivate, despite not realizing that at the time. “I had extra rooms in my condo, so I asked her to stay here to save her time.”

Another knock interrupts our conversation and I amble over to bring in our Thai takeout, hunger forgotten amidst all the tension.

Placing it on the kitchen counter, I return to sit by Maddy.

“I just wish either of you had said something to me,”Maddy says, turning to me. Her expression softens, typical of her forgiving nature. “But you know what, Dad? This isn’t about me. This is about you and Kavi.” She lifts a brow, giving me one of her serious looks. “Please tell me it’s not just sex.”

I reel back. “Maddy, not that I’ve shared much about my sex life with you—”

“Thank God for small mercies,” she interrupts, trying to lighten the moment.

“But I wouldn’t have asked someone to move in with me, spent every stolen moment with them, if it was just about sex. I could get that without any strings attached if I needed.”

She crosses her arms, her nose scrunched. “Firstly, gross. And secondly, you said it wasn’t what it looked like not even five minutes ago.”

I exhale heavily, feeling like the biggest piece of shit. “Yeah, I mishandled that—”

“I’m going to step out for a little bit and give you guys some time to chat.” Kavi’s voice has both Maddy and me turning toward her. With her purse in hand, clad in her trademark strawberry-print T-shirt and ripped jeans, she looks both hesitant and resolute.

Madison rises to meet her. “Kavi, I didn’t mean to come off so . . . harsh—”

“No,” Kavi interjects. “Your reaction was completely valid. I just really need some air.”

Maddy’s face gentles toward her friend, her hands brushing her biceps. “I get it, but can we talk later?”

Kavi nods before rushing out.

I want to stop her, to have her sit beside me and Maddy so we can sort this out together, but I sense both women need a moment apart to process. I’m not a mind-reader, nor do I claim to understand women or humans in general, but I do what I think is right at that moment.

I listen to Kavi’s plea to get some air.

Though, now that she’s gone, was that a sniffle I heard as she shut the door?

Fuck, am I doing anything right today?

“God, Dad.” Maddy’s voice and her rounded eyes have me coming out of my haze. She shakes her head, a smile blooming over her lips, like she’s been watching me longer than I noticed. “You really like her.”

I gulp in some air, reciting the words I’ve rehearsed countless times since realizing I was falling for Kavi and needed to tell my daughter. “She moved in with me, and I thought that would be that. We’d work and live together but stay out of each other’s ways, otherwise. But no matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t resist her pull. And from there, everything just got out of hand. You know me. I can barely manage a relationship in the same city; it was crazy of me to think I could manage something long-distance.”

I pause, sliding my hands down my face and feeling surprisingly choked up. Like all the emotions of the day—finalizing everything with Jett, having the keys to our new life in my hand to give to Kavi—are bubbling over, and I can’t contain the relief and excitement about taking this next step toward her.With her.

“The terms were clear. It was never meant to be more than a fling . . .”

“But?” Maddy prompts me to continue, knowing I have more to say.

“But . . .” I press my hands together, lips against them for grounding. “She came out of nowhere. She stole every thought, every fucking heartbeat.” I look at my daughter, unblinkingly. “No, Maddy, I don’t just like her; I’m fucking crazy about her.”

Maddy’s hands fly to her mouth, a teary smile peeking through. “And all that talk about not handling long-distance?”

“It’s all true. I can’t do long-distance with her,” I stateplainly. “And I’m going to have to be honest with her when she comes back. She deserves that.”

Her smile falters. “Wh-what do you mean? How else would you guys make it work if Kavi’s moving? It’ll have to be long-distance with you working here.”

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