Page 40 of Second Dance
“Sweetheart, as much as I appreciate your willingness to help, please don’t say anything to her,” I said to Annie. “She’d be even more mortified if she thought we were all talking about her.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Annie said. “I didn’t think about that.”
“I don’t accept this,” Grace said. “There has to be a way. You two already had to say goodbye once.”
“And you deserve to be happy,” Lila said. “You’re always so selfless, but maybe it’s time you put yourself first.”
“Yes, I agree,” Grace said.
“We all know it’s not as simple as that,” Delphine said. “Because, regardless, Bella’s going to be unhappy, and that’s no way to start a relationship with her or him. Relationships are difficult when there are kids involved.”
“They almost never work out,” Mia said, sounding fifty instead of fourteen.
Maybe Delphine was right. Alex and I might love each other but, if his daughter sabotaged it however she could, we could never be happy together. Anyway, I couldn’t be responsible for making his daughter sad, and ultimately him. Because the truth was—the old saying was correct. We are only as happy as our unhappiest child.
And, unfortunately, my child was looking distinctly unhappy at the moment. The plans she had for the family she’d always dreamed of had just slipped away before they ever began.
9
ALEX
After I’d dropped Gillian off at her house, I’d driven home still reeling from the confrontation with Bella. My stomach in knots, I came into the kitchen to find Peter at the island eating a snack.
He looked up, giving me one of his infectious smiles. “Hey, Dad. How’d it go?”
I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache coming on. “It was okay. Is Bella back yet?”
“No, but her friend’s mom said she’d bring her back by ten, so she should be here any minute. Why do you ask?”
I sighed as I sank onto one of the island stools. “I ran into her and her friends at the bookstore. Gillian and I were exploring downtown and we decided to pop in so she could show me her friend’s books. Gillian and I were … found in a compromising position. In the romance section.”
“How compromising?” Peter asked, pushing the bowl of potato chips toward me.
“Kissing.”
“And she freaked out.” Peter dropped his head into his hands. “And made a huge scene.”
“That’s right. She said I was selfish and disloyal to Mom. Accused me of carrying a torch for Gillian all these years and not loving your mother.”
Peter grimaced. “Sorry, Dad. That’s rough.”
“After she yelled at me, she stormed out with her friends.”
“You didn’t follow?”
I shook my head. “Knowing Bella, she needed some time to cool off before I confronted her. And frankly, I didn’t know what to say. Still don’t.”
Peter looked down at the countertop. “How embarrassing. Having her go off like that in front of Gillian.”
“It was. And now Gillian’s spooked. She’s not sure she wants to get in the middle of all this drama.”
“I can’t blame her for that,” Peter said. “Bella’s not making this easy.”
“No, and I’m not at all sure how to handle her.”
“Bella just misses Mom and the way our life used to be. I’m sure she didn’t mean any of the things she said.” Peter looked over at me. “But Dad, is this thing with Gillian for real? Like serious?”
“It’s early days still, but my instincts are telling me yes. There’s just something about her. About the two of us together that feels right.”
