Page 95 of Breaking Point

A laugh escapes me at that. I know the words don’t come easily.

“I’m sorry,” he says again. But I can’t find it in me to say anything back. My voice is all choked up. But he speaks louder, talking over my shoulder. “You can trust I was gonna say it on my own and not because you’re eavesdropping, Tessa.”

I look up to see Mom peeking through the sliding door. She’s much too proud to be embarrassed about it, but when she holds up her hands and steps out, she still has the sense to look sheepish.

“I was going to give you boys your privacy, but I’ve been waitingyears!”

Dad motions her out, setting his coffee aside. She walks over and sits on his lap, both relaxing against the chair. They look comfortable. Steady- just like they always have, and I smile at the sight.

“Liv still asleep?”

I think about how I left her, still sleeping soundly in our bed. “Yeah. Want to let her sleep in a bit.”

“She’s a pretty girl,” Mom says casually. “She’s got this light about her.”

Normally, I’d narrow my eyes at her blatant prying, but that was before this week happened. Now, I know I’m too weak a man to deny it.

Liv’s more than a pretty girl… and she has been from the start.

“I still need to talk to her dad,” I say aloud. “I need to find a new job.” Though I can tell that Mom wants to say more, she lets me sit with the words. “She’s a client,” I try.

“But you can’t walk away,” Dad finishes. I open my mouth to object, but he beats me to the punch. “You care about her. She cares about you. I’d rather you not start this newfound peace treaty by lying and telling me differently.”

I close my mouth. I don’t have a comeback.

“I didn’t know Winter. Never met her before she passed, but I know now that her death was a dark patch for you.”

I rest my head in my hands. “What are you getting at?”

“You’ve been living with a ghost for years,” Mom says, two fresh tears falling down her cheeks. “That girl upstairs… is the one thing that’s brought the light back to my baby’s eyes.”

Dad kisses her shoulder reassuringly.

“It was gone for so long I almost wondered if you were ever going to get it back,” she whispers. As another wave of tears fall, I want to sweep her up and hug her tight. “I’ve seen you change these last few months.”

Hearing the words just makes the hollow in my chest grow wider. Because knowing that I can’t hide it isn’t a comfort. It only makes going back infinitely more painful.

How I feel doesn’t change the rules.

“I don’t know what to do,” I admit.

I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what the future looks like. I just know things need to change.

She and I… we can’t keep going like this.

“Is there anything to be done?” Dad asks.

“I can’t-“ I run a frustrated hand through my hair. “I can’t feel like this about her and continue working for her father.”

“Why does it sound like that means it’s the end?”

Because it has to be. Our lives…

I can’t force myself to think the words. I can’t force myself to say that it won’t work because I just don’t know. But I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance to.

Mom nods toward the door, and I know it’s because Liv’s moving around inside, probably coming downstairs. “Doesn’t seem like today is quite enough time to decide,” she says.

Liv steps out, eyes widening when she sees us all gathered around the table. I hear her curse as Mom waves her over. “Good morning!” Liv climbs the porch steps, and when her bright blue eyes find mine, I smile.

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