I turn to her, “Look I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t really want to have a conversation with Liam’s new girlfriend.”
Her eyes widen as she gapes at me, “Oh God, I could see how you might think that but I’m Elle, Liam’s little sister.”
Relief floods me and I’m not sure why. After all, it was me that ended things. I can’t really expect that he will never date again. That’s ridiculous. He’s probably had a dozen women in the last month.
“Can I buy you a coffee? I’d like to talk to you about Ivy.”
I raise an eyebrow, “Okay.”
We walk back into the hospital going to the coffee shop that’s dedicated to the cancer floor. After we both get a coffee, we sit at a table in the corner.
I stare at her waiting to find out what she wants. She really is stunning. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I know I’m attractive but she is next level stunning.
“Look, my brother is afraid to talk to you. He agreed to leave you alone and he has. But we need to figure out what’s going to happen to Ivy. He hasn’t pursued becoming her foster father because he doesn’t want to step on your toes. But he needs to know what your plans are.”
“I want to foster her, but I didn’t want to step on his toes either. I’ve caused him enough pain.”
She raises an eyebrow and then looks down at her coffee, taking a tentative sip.
“Liam’s going to be pissed at me, but I don’t care. I love my brother and I have to do what’s best for him. So, tell me, Mercy, why?”
I shake my head, “Why what?”
I take a sip of my coffee while she continues, “Why did you push him out of your life?”
“Do you know what happened?”
“With Nash?” she questions.
I nod and she replies, “Yeah, I know what happened. And Mercy, I’m really sorry.”
I take a deep breath, “How could he ever look at me like he used to? After seeing that?”
I shake my head trying to erase the pain, “It’s impossible.”
She considers my words before asking, “May I be blunt?”
A small laugh comes out of my mouth, “From everything Liam ever told me about you, I don’t think that’s even a choice.”
She smiles warmly and then says, “He didn’t walk in on his son fucking you. You didn’t cheat on him. He found his son nearly raping you. I’m not going to say that it hasn’t been a difficult thing for Liam to process. But I am going to say that man loves you. I’ve never seen my brother so broken. And it’s not only about what Nash did to you. It’s because he’s so lost without you. He’s in love with you, Mercy. He did what he thought was right. You asked him to leave you alone, so he did. But this is not what he wants.”
The silence is deafening after that. I don’t know what to say, I’m at a loss for words.
“Do you visit him often?” I ask, “I’m surprised we’ve never met.”
“We have to plan two funerals today. That’s the only reason I’m here although I’ve missed my brother.”
“What? Two funerals? Who?”
“Our parents were killed yesterday by a drunk driver.”
“Oh my God. I’m sorry. Is Liam, okay?”
“As much as possible.” She responds.
She takes another sip of her coffee after wiping a tear from her eyes.
“Is there anything I can do?”