Page 14 of Marriage & Mockery

We pulled into the garage and sat there for a moment with the engine still running.

“I talked to your mom earlier.”

Lucy turned toward me. “And?”

“I told her what you asked me to. That you’re sorry.”

She tugged her lower lip between her teeth. “What did she say?”

“That she appreciated it.”

Lucy’s hand drifted toward her phone, then stopped. “Can I call her?”

I wished I could say yes with the full confidence that Laina would answer. But with how she’d reacted to Lucy’s apology this morning, I just wasn’t sure. “You can try. But if she doesn’t answer, don’t keep calling. Give her the space she asked for.”

Lucy looked down at her phone, her thumb hovering over the screen. “Okay.”

I turned off the engine and got out, leaving her in the passenger seat to make the call if that was what she decided to do. Setting my keys on the counter, I waited to see if I’d need to comfort our daughter.

8

LAINA

I’d spent the entire day holed up in my room, hiding from the world. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d lounged in bed for hours on end, except for back when I had Lucy, and Bennett insisted on bringing her to bed for her middle-of-the-night feedings.

I was wrapped around a pillow, half watching an old movie when my phone buzzed again. I’d pretty much ignored everyone who’d called, except for an hour-long chat with Felicity where I somehow managed to convince her not to pack a bag and come stay with me for the week.

Curiosity got the better of me after a few minutes, and I turned my cell over to glance at the screen. The notification wasn’t one I could ignore.

Lucy

Hey. Dad told me he talked to you.

A second message followed.

Lucy

I’m really sorry about last night.

And then a third.

Lucy

I get it if you don’t want to talk to me yet. I just wanted you to know.

The texts had none of her usual emoji. And no teenage attitude.

My thumbs hovered over the screen. My first instinct was to tell her it was okay and soothe her pain. But I still felt the sting of her betrayal too strongly.

That didn’t mean I’d just leave my daughter on read, though.

Me

I appreciate it.

Even a careful apology from my daughter felt like too much to handle right now, but my phone buzzed again almost immediately.

Lucy