Page 12 of If You Love Me

“Fortunately, baby girl is a morning person. Hell, she woke me up this morning. Thankfully, Iona was here to make her breakfast.”

“Mmmmm.”

I sighed. “Don’t do that, Nina.”

“I’m not doing anything. I didn’t say a word.”

“It’s been years, and you still don’t like her.”

“I don’tdislikeher, Tyrion.”

“She’s not your favorite person.”

“And I’m not hers. Don’t act like you don’t know this, friend. I love you, and I want you to be happy. If she makes you happy, then so be it. We’ll continue to tolerate each other because of you and Summer.”

“You two could be friends if you gave each other a chance.”

She signed. “Tyrion… it’s hard for me, okay? Evenie was my best friend way before she met you. I’m talking about the elementary school playground type of friends. You’re the only man she’s ever loved, and it’s weird seeing you love someone other than her. I know it’s silly. I know it’s selfish, but it was always supposed to be her.”

“She’s gone, Nina. She’s been gone for ten years, sis.”

“Don’t talk about her like she’s dead, Tyrion.”

I could hear the tears in her voice as she spoke. Nina was another person who refused to believe that Evenie was dead. She hadn’t given up hope of reuniting with her best friend. I could understand it being hard for her walking into this house and not seeing her or seeing another woman in her place.

The truth was nobody could replace Evenie. Iona, as great as she was, wasn’t a replacement. She was someone I fell in love with that slightly healed my broken heart.

I sighed as I spoke. “Evenie wouldn’t have wanted either of us to just stop living because she isn’t around. I’m not trying to replace her. I’m just trying to move on.”

Nina sniffled. “I know. You have every right to do that. I’m just in my feelings. I’ll be fine.”

I went to speak, but the bedroom door opened. Iona stood there with a blank look on her face.

“We’re about to head out,” she said quietly.

Her demeanor told me she heard at least part of the conversation.

“I’m coming.”

She didn’t say anything, just left the door partially open and walked away.

“I gotta go, Nina. I’ll make sure Iona knows Jersey is riding home with them.”

“On second thought, I’ll just pick her up and take her back to work with me.”

“Come on, Nina. Don’t be like that.”

“Nah, the tone of her voice tells me she heard our conversation. I’ll talk to you later, Tyrion.”

She disconnected the call on me. I sighed heavily as I pulled the phone from my ear and tossed it on the bed.

“Jesus be a fence,” I mumbled.

Standing to my feet, I left the bedroom and headed back out front. Summer was putting on her backpack as Iona stuck her feet into her heels.

“Have a good day at school, princess,” I said, pulling Summer in for a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Daddy. Have a good day at work.”

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