“This one’s a keeper.” She hugs Ava then pats my back as she walks past us.
“They’re gonna be okay, Dad.”
“Yeah, they will.”
Harper looks back and smiles at Ava, giving her a thumbs-up.
She nods firmly. “Okay, we can go back in. She’s okay.”
“Sounds good.”
I turn and see that John is standing behind me. He winks, and I gave him a nod as we walk back into the church.
Inside, I am met by my wife’s glacial stare, and I smile at her, putting on a show of my own. She turns her back to me.Shocker.
A few minutes later, as a family, we stand together and head through the receiving line as a family of four. Ava is taking her time talking to Harper about going to Mardi Gras. I look at Maddox’s face. He isn’t happy about it. Then Ava mentions the damn drummer boy that seems fond of her, and I’m right there with him.
Together, Ashley and I walk around them to Tessa, who’s hugging Logan and thanking him for coming. My wife sticks out her hand to Tessa instead of offering a hug.
Cold, Ash, real fucking cold,I think to myself.
I wait for their exchange then hug Tessa, not giving a fuck. “Sorry, Tessa. I’m so sorry. He’s a great man.”
“Thanks for the flowers. They were beautiful.” She squeezes me tightly, and I feel a slight tremble. I don’t want to let go, but Ashley’s dagger eyes are nailing me in the back.
Turning, I take her hand, and we head back to give our respects to Harper.
“Sorry about your dad and, uh … everything, Harper.” I hug her.
“Thanks, Lucas.”
Next, I shake Maddox’s hand. “Big shoes to fill, Maddox.”
“Yes, sir.” Maddox smiles politely.
“From what I understand, you fit the bill.”
“I’ll do whatever I can.”
“If you ever need anything, feel free to call me.” I reach in my pocket and hand him my card. Then I take Ashley’s hand, but she pulls it away.
“Let’s get something to eat, dear.”
“I want to leave,” she sneers. Yes … sneers.
“Look around. Your children need you here. Suck it up, Mrs. Links.” I give her a smack on the ass. “After you, wife.”
We fill plates, mine with casseroles and deli goods; hers a salad. Then we sit at the end of a long set of tables, just us, across from one another, where she pushes around her salad, pouting and angry.
“Need me to feed you?”
“Screw you, Lucas.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Tell me, Ash; what the hell happened to the girl from last night?”
“She’s sick of being second best.”
I take a bite of my bread, knowing it’s homemade, and try to savor it yet fail as I sit back and look at her while keeping my emotions in check. I’m pissed that she’s able to be so cold to Tessa, making me the villain and her the victim while she’s the one fucking up our lives. She needs to play the victim, but she’s not the victim here today. Not even close. I’m not, either. Collin, Harper Tessa, and Emma Hines bear the markings of victims.