Page 113 of Whiskey Wednesdays

I hadn’t thought of that until just now, but I knew Titus would agree. Abby going along with our scheme was farfetched, but maybe with enough incentive, we could persuade her.

“Oh God. Isa, be honest with me. What’s the catch?”

I sighed. “You’d have to tell a family law judge in Canada that Titus is your boyfriend.”

“So I’d have to commit perjury.”

“Well, if you and Titus got to know each other a little bit and decided tobecomea couple before the hearing, thentechnicallyit wouldn’t be perjury.”

Abby exhaled. “I must be completely bonkers because I’m actually considering it. My parents are unbearable, and they’ve started to take it out on Stella.”

“I’m so sorry. Are you guys okay?”

“No,” she murmured. “Isa, I found bruises the size of fingerprints on Stella’s arm last week. And she’s afraid of them.” Abby’s voice broke. “My father watched her when I had to work and she was sick and couldn’t go to daycare.”

My heart lurched, and I sucked in a breath. “Is she okay?”

“Physically, yes. I learned to suck up their digs and my father’s temper, but I can’t stay here anymore.”

“Come and meet Titus at least. He’ll fly you and Stella out. The sooner the better. Tell them you and Stella are coming to visit me in Palm Springs. Or don’t tell them and just come. Even if things don’t work with Titus, you can stay with me.”

I didn’t know how I would manage since I was living with Connor and my apartment was out of commission. But we’d work it out.

Abby sucked in a breath. “I’m sorry. I never wanted to be a burden on anyone, but I don’t want this for Stella. She deservesto be around people who love and cherish her. I don’t want her to grow up like I did.”

“Come to Palm Springs. We’ll help you. I’ll get you plane tickets.”

“No.”

My heart sank. Abby and Stella needed to get away from her parents. “Let me help you.”

“I’ll drive. I need my car there.”

I breathed out slowly. “How about if I fly to Seattle, you pick me up from the airport, and we drive together? You shouldn’t drive all that way alone.”

She sobbed softly. “Okay. Thank you so much. But I’m paying for your airfare.”

“I have more airline points than I know what to do with,” I lied. “Now when can you leave?”

After we said goodbye, I stared unseeing out at the garden. My heart hurt. Abby was one of those rare friends. Even if I didn’t see or talk to her for a while, when we got together it was like no time had passed. And she’d been there for me when my mom died.

I knew what her parents were like, but I hadn’t known the extent of it. I found Connor in his home office working on his laptop. He looked up when I walked in.

“What’s wrong? You look upset.” He pushed his chair back and patted his thighs.

I didn’t hesitate. I sat on his lap and wrapped my arms around him.

“I just got off the phone with my best friend since middle school. She has a little girl, and she lives with her parents. They’re horrible.”

I told him about my conversation with her, and my plan to have her be Titus’s “girlfriend” at the upcoming hearing.

He sighed. “I wasn’t wrong when I asked what you two were hatching up. What’s your friend like?”

“She’s kind and funny, and has this dry sarcasm, despite her parents. I don’t know how to describe her. She’s quiet until she gets to know you and trusts you. Abby has an old soul.”

“Do you think she’ll be okay living with Titus?”

“Yeah. But it’ll take some time for her to feel comfortable around him.”

---