Page 94 of Just a Plot Twist
“I know, Claire. I just…” He sighs out a short breath. “I really care about you. I’m falling for you, and so are the kids.” Kindness alights his eyes. “Your grandparents’ actions don’t affect how I feel about you. I want to be with you.”
Then he paces again, his frown deepening.
And I’m pacing, too, but on the opposite side of his living room. Like the two sides of a war—in agony.
I can’t help but think that it’s symbolic of something more.
His face falls and he draws in a breath. Letting it out slowly, he bridges the divide and approaches me. He tugs me into a hug, but I’m brittle in his arms, unable to fully give myself up. He’s also holding back, even though his words are soothing.
“I’m in the weeds on this because it’s my father and I care about his business. And about him.” A swift kiss on my cheek. “Look, it’s all going to be okay.”
But there’s doubt in his voice.
It’s so silly. Is this like a Romeo and Juliet situation? Is he a Montague and am I a Capulet?
“I want it to be okay,” I say. “I really care about you, too. We need to figure out what we want, what we’re capable of handling right now.”
He steps back and away from me, his hands on my upper arms, his gaze taking in my face.
“I know what I want,” he says.
“It’s not a simple thing, though. We’re so different. You’ve had all these experiences that I haven’t. Dax and Indie are…well, they’re incredible and I can’t hurt them.”
“Hurt them? How would you do that?”
“If things don’t work out between us. And if they do, but it turns out that I totally suck at…at being a stepmom.” My heart is pounding. We haven’t talked about getting married…not even close. Still, the word “stepmom” is hard to say.
At this, he laughs. “You won’t suck at it. You’re so good with them, Claire.”
I shake my head. “Outside the restaurant with Indie was so hard.”
“It was, but it ended well. You did everything right with her.”
I knead my shoulder with one hand, keeping the other arm wrapped tightly around me. “And what about Dax? He’s a teen! I don’t know how to do this.”
He lets out a low gust of air. “Of course. This is different than what you expected, I get it. Becoming a stepparent can be hard.”
“I need to talk with my grandparents and figure out what’s going on. And you should talk to your father.”
He nods rapidly. “Okay. Yeah.”
“And I can’t rush into this with you. I’m already so involved in your lives and things are already happening fast. I guess last night with Indie was awake-up call. Parenthood is a lot. And I want to be a parent. I’ve always wanted that. I just need to figure out if I can right now.”
The way his face crumples before hardening with a mask is killing me.
It’s unfair. I don’t want to disappoint my grandparents.
But not knowing how to show up for Dax and Indie? Not feeling capable that I can?
That is so much worse.
Chapter 29
Claire
“You’re bringing your grandparents milkshakes?” Inez sounds perturbed through the phone.
“Oh, keep your shirt on. I’ll bring you one soon.” As I drive to my grandparents’ house in Boulder, I check the plastic cupholder that I packed with cups full of ice to nest the milkshakes in. They’re my peace offering to my grandparents, so I’m hoping my careful, ice bath plan comes through for me.
