Page 61 of After We Fall (After We Fall 2)
“Yeah.”
She nodded. “Thought so. They look alike, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s gotta be tough.”
I shrugged. “Steph was really different than her sister.”
“How so?”
“Different personalities. Different interests.” I looked at her. “And Steph never would have treated you that way.”
Margot’s lips tipped up in a sad smile. “I got the feeling she didn’t like my being here with you.”
“Probably because this is something I used to do with Steph.”
Margot tilted her head side to side. “So her reaction is understandable.”
“Maybe. That doesn’t make it OK, though.” I sighed, closing my eyes for a second. “You know, when Steph was alive, her family never even liked me that much.”
“Really?” Margot sounded shocked. “Why?”
I shrugged. “They felt she could have done a lot better than stick around here and marry me. Fuck, she could have done better. I told her that a million times.” Angrily, I chugged my water again, wishing it was whiskey.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“I don’t know why,” I said bitterly. “You’ve seen firsthand what an asshole I can be.”
“Because you’re a good man, Jack. Yes, you get angry and lash out. You get pushed, you push back. And hell yes, I’ve seen you be an asshole.” Her voice softened. “But I’ve also heard you apologize. I’ve seen you treat people and animals with love and kindness. I’ve seen you treat dirt with love and kindness.”
I almost smiled, and she caught me.
“Plus,” she said, leaning over to whisper in my ear. “You’ve got good hands, an amazing tongue, and a big dick. What more could a girl want?”
Reluctantly, I allowed a small grin and shook my head. Did she really believe a big dick made up for everything I couldn’t offer? Margot, of all people? “Uh, stability? Financial security? A nice car? A big house? Expensive jewelry?”
“You told me yourself she didn’t care about those things.”
“But
you do.” It came out of nowhere. Why the hell would I compare Steph to Margot? “Fuck. Forget I said that.”
“No, listen.” She put a hand on my leg. “You’re not wrong. I do care about those things. I’ve never lacked for them, or anything else money can buy. But you know what?”
Christ, we are so different. “What?”
“Something is missing from my life.”
I looked at her. “Like what? What could possibly be missing from your life when you have everything you ever wanted? And if you don’t have it, you can go out and get it?”
She rolled her eyes. “I hate to break it to you, but they don’t sell happiness at Bloomingdale’s, Jack. Plenty of wealthy people are miserable and plenty of poor people are content.”
“I guess.”
“Were you and Steph rich?”
I snorted. “No.”
