Page 65 of Hearts of Fairlake

"Even if that meant you'd miss out on what you have now?" she wondered.

I didn't answer right away...couldn't, actually. Undoubtedly, if I’d had better parents, ones who had done more for me or at least didn't outright abuse me and try to sell me, would I have found my passion? Would I have bothered to come to Fairlake, where I would inevitably meet the people around me? Would I have met Sylas and fallen in love? Have the kind of real relationship I had with my brother?

There were too many variables and chances for things to be different, which was more anathema to me than ever. The answer was simple. “You make a strong point. It would be nice not to have the problems I do, but if it meant losing all I have now, then the price is too great."

"Huh," Ayla said thoughtfully. "I'll have to get back to you on that one. Now, a slice of strawberry if you please."

"I got you, hun," Louise said warmly, turning to fetch it. "Where's Annie? She was looking for you earlier."

"I ditched her," Ayla said. "And I'm not a hun."

"Well, I'm going to call you that anyway. Call it a product of knowing you since you were younger," Louise said, not batting an eye as she handed over the container with the pie. "Consider that slice on the house."

Ayla held up a card. “It's on my dad, so take the money."

"Ah, well, that's a different story," Louise said, taking the card and plugging it into the machine.

"I saw your interview," Ayla said, staring past me.

"Yeah? How'd I look?" Sylas asked.

"Like shit."

"Ah well, and now?"

"Like a bum."

"Perfect. That means retirement has really settled in for me."

Ayla smiled at that one. “It kinda suits you."

"Retirement?"

"Being a bum."

"Funny, that sounds like something my mother would say. Which is not a compliment for the record."

Ayla's small smile turned into a wider, knowing one. "I know a thing or two about moms like that."

"So I've heard," Sylas said, and I didn't have to look behind me to know he was sprawled out in the seat, legs spread, arms on the rests, head back with sunglasses on. He hadn't been back in Fairlake for long, but I had to admit, there was something different about him. It had been his express desire to find a nice, peaceful life for a while in Fairlake, and he had taken to that endeavor with enthusiasm.

It bothered me a little, seeing him so lazy, but at the same time, it was nice to see him relaxed. I hadn't realized until after his retirement, but even when he'd been here between roles, there had always been a weight that followed him around. When he'd returned this final time, it had been gone, and a far more at ease and less worried version of my husband now existed.

It certainly didn't hurt that since his retirement had been a semi-surprise for his mother, she’d refused to speak with him...as if that were a punishment. If Celia Goner thought that was somehow weighing on Sylas' mind, she couldn't be farther from the truth. On the other hand, I thought it more likely she was so furious with her son that she couldn't bear to speak with him. It was bad enough that he’d spent his life constantly balking at her rules and doing pretty much whatever he wanted. It grew worse when he'd finally stood up to her completely when it came to Felixand me, something I would be forever grateful to him and his sister for.

Now, he'd gone and retired before she had a chance to have her say in the matter. I wouldn't be surprised if she were fuming for weeks, if not months.

"Well, as much as I'd love to sit around and discuss mommy issues, a thoroughly fascinating and not at all depressing topic of conversation," Ayla said, cracking open the container she'd been given. "I think I'm going to find something else to do. Supposedly, there's a dunk tank around here, and I want to see which volunteer is in there now. I hope it's Chase."

Louise turned to her. “Chase? There is no way in heaven or hell that man signed himself up for something like that."

"No, but his name definitely ended up on the list," Ayla said with a wry smirk. "And I want to be there if his name gets called."

I watched her go. “Who would have done something like that without his permission?"

Louise snorted. “It could have been anyone in his life, from what I know. My money would be either Bennett or Ayla herself, though from what I hear, that man of his can also be quite devious."

I turned to Sylas. “Would you ever do anything like that to me?"

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