Page 465 of One More Kiss

“You know what you have to do, hon. You’re a fighter. You always have been and always will be. When you want something, you go after it. So, fight for what you love. Harmony was wrong to do that to you, and I’m going to have a chat with her Mama the next time I see her.”

I give her a small smile. Millie may be a polite, southern woman, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a dark side. She doesn’t get back—she gets even—especially for her favorite nephew.

“So, I’ll take care of things while you go to Chicago,” she adds, trying to cheer me up.

“I don’t know, Aunt Millie. What if it can’t be repaired? Who knows what Vada thinks of me now, and I know I couldn’t handle losing her all over again. I don’t think I can get over her or ever will. Maybe she needs some space, and I’ll give that to her, even if it kills me in the end.” The words hurt coming out, but once you lose someone you love, you’re constantly afraid you’ll lose it again.

“Don’t be stupid, boy.” She slaps me with her harsh words. “You fight for her and don’t stop until she listens to you. Harmony filled her head with lies, and you need to clear the air, even if she decides she doesn’t want to be with you. You owe her that much at least.”

God. Leave it to Aunt Millie to put me in my place.

Although she’s right, Vada may not give me the opportunity to clear the air or make things right—so I just might have to go another route to grab her attention.

Even if it takes the rest of my life.

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