Page 115 of How to Love Your Neighbor
“What money?” Grace stood up.
Tammy lifted her hands, looking around. “The house is worth something. I’m sure it was paid off when you got it. Give me what’s mine, I’ll go.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“I’m not giving you anything,” Grace said.
“You’re just like them. You said ask for help, I did. Now you’re slapping me in the face, showing me you think you have the upper hand.”
“Grace, babe? You up?” Noah’s voice carried from the entryway.
Tammy’s smile turned mean. “Looks like I get to meet your boyfriend.”
“No. You don’t.”
Only he came around the corner, spotted the two of them standing by the sink, and froze.
“Hey, babe. Everything okay?”
“Just a little family reunion. You must be Noah. I’m Tammy Travis, Grace’s mother.” She walked toward him like she wore a designer outfit and not a pair of Grace’s pajamas. She believed her own hype, thought she was entitled to whatever she wanted in life with no effort whatsoever.
His gaze locked on Grace’s as he shook her mom’s hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Tammy’s laugh was shrill. “Please. Call me Tammy. Grace and I were just chatting about the house. Sure would be nice if you’d make some breakfast, Grace. It’s the least you could do.”
Grace was torn. She did not want to have a scene with her mother in front of Noah.
“We could go out for breakfast,” Noah suggested, his attention focused on Grace. She knew he was trying to read her, figure out what she wanted, but she couldn’t deal with both of them. She wanted to protect Noah from the ugliness of her mother’s words.
Tammy perked up. “That sounds great. I’ll get changed. I’ll need to borrow some of your clothes and makeup, Grace.”
No.She wasn’t a helpless kid. She was an adult woman who made her own way. Noah pulled Grace into his side but she barely felt the embrace. She was tired of lying down, avoiding conflictto look like the bigger person. She was tired of holding back and holding in. Telling Noah she’d loved him last night had set her free, and right now she needed to free this part of herself. The angry, hurt girl who had always made do because she’d never had any other choice.
“No.” The word came out harsh.
“You okay?” Noah said, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek.
“No. You should go.” She needed to do this on her own.
“Grace.” The one word was strained.
“That’s rude, Grace,” Tammy said.
She looked at Noah, cupped his cheek, drawing strength from the look in his gaze, the one that said he had her back. “I’m okay. But I need to do this alone. Please.”
He frowned, clearly struggling with what he wanted to do versus what she was asking. “I’m right next door.”
Tammy glared at her as Noah left. But his faith in her made her stronger.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Grace said.
“You should take your own advice,” Tammy said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Excuse me?”
“You didn’t exactly give him a reason to stay, now, did you?”
“I’m not talking about my relationship with you. We’re ending this now. You’re leaving.”
