“Here.” She tapped her shoulder. “A little sore yet.Iníon na Fae.”
His eyes smiled first. “Daughter of the Fey.”
“Because I am, and it felt like forgiving my mother and saying goodbye to her—I guess doing the same with Marco’s mother—made it only more true.”
“It’s always been true.”
“I have to call for a car and get back. Why don’t you come with us to the party?”
“And good craic it will be, no doubt. But Marg is waiting. She worried you’d be unhappy. Sure I can tell her not to worry a’tall. ButI’ll stay with you while you wait for the car, then I think I’ll find one of those pretzels before going back. They’re more than fine.”
She dashed into her hotel room to find the adjoining door open and Marco pacing between. He’d laid out her party dress, and being Marco, the appropriate underwear.
“I know you texted you were fine, and just delayed, but—”
“I am fine! Just later than I figured. You’re already dressed!”
“We said we wanted to get there early to—”
“I know, I know. I’ll be quick.”
“You gotta tell me about seeing your mom. Come on, girl!”
“It’s all good, it’s done.”
And she’d never tell him about going to his mother’s.
No point.
She grabbed the clothes from the bed, dashed into the bath.
“I said everything I needed to say—nothing changed with or in her, and nothing will. I accept that. I told her I knew she’d done her best.”
Over the drum of the shower, Breen lifted her voice.
“I told her she lied to me, hurt me, blah blah, and that I forgive her.”
“Oh. Ouch!”
That brought a laugh. “I guess it might’ve stung. But I meant it, Marco. I forgive her, and I’m not carrying that resentment anymore. It’s liberating.”
She jumped back out of the shower. She’d wear the green dress again, the gift from Sally and Derrick. And had no doubt the choice had prompted Marco to wear an emerald-green shirt with the long leather vest Nan had given him.
To save time she did a glamour, a serious one, as Marco would give her grief otherwise.
She added her Troll earrings, the mermaid bracelet, then dashed back out.
“Breen. I’m proud of you.”
“Because I showered and dressed in under ten minutes?”
“You know why. It took me a long time to forgive my parents, my brother, so I know it takes a lot. You did it inside a year. So I’m—What the actual fuck! You got another tat! Without me!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
She sat to put on her shoes.
“It was a moment. I was walking, feeling liberated, and there was the place, and I just had to do it.”