“Willa,” Kenzi said in surprise, “the Hendersons were fine with her leaving abruptly. It actually worked out for the best.”
Willa wrinkled her nose, a tell that she felt guilty for saying it. “I’m sorry, Lexi. I didn’t mean to sound that judgmental, but the way you left was wrong. You didn’t even give them notice. They took a chance by hiring you, and you acted like it meant nothing.”
Lexi let out a long breath and counted to ten. She could explain herself to Willa, but she really wasn’t in the mood to throw herself at her feet and beg for understanding. Sometimes it was easier to simply stare her down. “Just to be clear, you’re both okay if I take one of these jobs. I don’t want to get grief later if I choose one that doesn’t work out.”
With a shrug, Willa said, “That would be between you and Clay.”
“There is no me and Clay.” Lexi stood impatiently. “I don’t even know why I bother sometimes. You don’t listen. I’m happy that you are now a Barrington, Willa, and I’m trying to navigate your rules, but if you’re going to pretend you don’t care about this, then I’ll do what I want.”
Kenzi waved a hand in the air. “Wait. Willa, Lexi’s been part of this family just as long as you have. There’s nothing she could do, short of become a nun, that would shock us. What are you worried about?”
Willa looked back and forth between them, then blurted, “Things are so perfect. Lance is amazing. Your whole family seems happier.” She placed her hand on her stomach. “I never thought I could be this happy, and I’m afraid—”
Kenzi scooter closer to Willa, putting her arm around her in support. “What are you afraid of?”
Lexi crossed her arms in front of her and looked down at them. She’d spent most her life protecting Willa, but on this one subject, she wouldn’t. “Say it, Willa, although I’d be shocked if you have the nerve to. Frame it just right, though, or you may sound like you’re not a saint.”
Willa looked down at her hands and blinked back tears. “I never said I was a saint.”
“What are you talking about?” Kenzi looked up at Lexi. “What don’t I know?”
With her chin held high, Lexi said, “Willa is afraid I’ll somehow screw things up between her and your family. She blames me for the early issues she had with Lance, but there’s more, isn’t there, Willa? You blame me for something much bigger.”
Willa shook her head. “I don’t.”
“You do,” Lexi insisted. “Just say it.”
Wiping a tear from her cheek, Willa said, “It was a long time ago. It shouldn’t affect me at all now, but . . . when our parents died we went to live with our aunt and uncle for a short time. They sent us to boarding school because they couldn’t handle us.”
“Me,” Lexi said. “They couldn’t handle me.”
Willa looked down at her hands again.
Kenzi stood. “You don’t know that.”
“Oh, we heard them say it, didn’t we, Willa? They made their reason for sending us away very clear.”
Willa rose to her feet and went to stand in front of Lexi. “All you had to do there was follow their rules, but you did whatever you wanted to do—just like you always have. It didn’t matter that I wanted to stay. You ruined it for both of us.”
“And you’re afraid I’ll do that again.”
Kenzi stepped between her two best friends. She took Lexi’s hand in one of hers and Willa’s in the other. “The two of you were my family at a time when I thought I’d lost mine. Don’t you dare treat each other with less love than you both deserve. Willa, you are the most kindhearted person I’ve ever met. Lexi, I believe you’d take a bullet for me or Willa without a thought of what would happen to you. The past holds some ugly memories for all of us, but we decide how much power to give them. Not one of us is perfect, but we’re always better together.”
Willa nodded. “I’m so sorry, Lexi. I didn’t even realize I was holding on to that day.”
Lexi sniffed. “I know. I came here today because I want you to stay just as happy as you are today.” She looked at Kenzi. “Both of you. I don’t want to do anything that jeopardizes your happiness.”
Wiping her face with her free hand, Willa said, “It could be the hormones, but I could bawl my eyes out right now. I love you two so much.”
Lexi hugged her sister. “I love you, too.”
Kenzi wrapped her arms around both of them. “Now that I’m adding puffy red eyes to my glorious morning look, can we talk about something safe, like this weekend?” She dropped her arms and returned to the corner of the couch. “They’re predicting a big snow storm for Vermont. Dax and I are going to try to fly up the day before. How are you two getting there? I’d say you could come with us, but I know you don’t fly, Lexi.”
Willa chewed her bottom lip. “Do you think you could do it this once, Lexi? Maybe take something for the trip? It’s a long drive otherwise.”
“I don’t mind going up on my own,” Lexi said. “You’re pregnant, Willa; don’t feel that you need to make the drive with me. And it doesn’t make sense for you to come with me, Kenzi. You’ll probably have your whole family on your plane.”
“We could have a car take you,” Kenzi said slowly as she mulled ideas.
Willa took Lexi’s hand in hers again and gave it a squeeze. “Or you could drive up with Clay.”
Lexi shook her head. “No way.”
“Why? It’s the perfect solution,” Kenzi exclaimed.
“Because—because—” Oh, what the hell? “I’m trying not to sleep with him.”
Willa wrinkled her nose. “It’s okay if you do. You like him. He likes you. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine if it’s going to cause issues between us, Willa,” Lexi said quietly.
Willa pulled Lexi in for another tight hug. “It won’t, Lexi. No matter what happens between the two of you. Don’t let me ever make you feel bad about who you are or how you live your life. If the Barringtons ever decide we aren’t good enough for them, it’ll be their loss.”
“Hey,” Kenzi laughed. “Barrington over here.”
“Not anymore; you’re a Ma
rshall now,” Lexi and Willa said in unison.
Kenzi laughed again. “I love when you sync up like that and say the same things at the same time.”
Willa and Lexi both turned and stuck their tongues out at Kenzi, then saw each other doing it and laughed. When they stopped laughing, Lexi said, “I’m not calling Clay and asking him to drive me to Vermont.”
Kenzi took out her phone and started typing. “You won’t have to. I’m telling Dax right now that you’re driving up to Vermont all by yourself in a potential snow storm. If Clay likes you half as much as I think he does, he’ll contact you.”
About ten minutes later, Lexi’s phone beeped with an incoming text. Lexi smiled. “It’s Clay.”
Willa and Kenzi came to huddle around her. “What did he say?”
“He wants to know how I’m getting to Vermont.”
“So, tell him,” Kenzi urged.
I’m driving, Lexi typed.
Alone?
Lexi hesitated before answering. “I don’t know, guys. Are you sure you’re both okay with this?”
With a straight face, Willa said, “Bring condoms.”
“Okay, then.” Lexi burst out laughing.
Kenzi chimed in. “Dax wouldn’t have told Clay if he thought Clay wasn’t serious about you. Give Clay a chance to prove Dax is right.”
Yes, alone.
Not anymore.
Shouldn’t you ask if I want the company?
Oh, I’m taking you. All the way.
Lexi laughed at the double entendre. “He’s so bad.”
“You love it,” Willa said with a smile.
“I do.” She texted: Because halfway would be disappointing.
Don’t worry, it’ll be a long drive. One that you’ll like so much you’ll want to do it again. And again.
Lately I’ve been driving myself everywhere so this will be nice.
Oh, yes. Much better. I promise. Lexi laughed again.
Kenzi leaned forward. “Should we ask what you two are saying?”
“No,” Lexi said with a huge smile. “No, you shouldn’t.”
“So, you’re going up with him?” Willa asked.
