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I launch into my explanation, letting them know Earl left me the sizeable property and house in California, and how beautiful Big Sur is. Summer listens with rapt attention as I describe it, her lips curling into a smile when I go on about how much I love the house, the thick redwoods and the ocean. Only when I pause to take a drink of water is she able to finally say something.

“You seem really happy, Sylvie,” she offers. “Maybe California is good for you.”

“I think it is definitely good for me,” I say in agreement. “I want to spend more time out there for sure.”

“Harumph.” That’s my father’s response.

Guess he doesn’t like thinking of me being so far away.

“More like the asshole sitting next to her is what’s really good for her,” Whit drawls, making Father laugh.

Irritation flashes in Spencer’s eyes and his hand drops to the top of my thigh, sliding over until his fingers rest between my legs. “Shut the hell up.”

“Now, now don’t act like we’re back in high school,” Summer chastises. “Don’t call your friend names, Whit.”

“I’ll quit, but only for you.” He leans in to give his wife a kiss, Spencer making a retching noise when their lips connect.

“Stop,” I admonish, just as he dips his head and kisses my cheek.

“Your brother loves it,” he whispers close to my ear. “He’s just trying to pretend he wasn’t worried sick over you these last few weeks.”

“It’s true,” Whit says, his stern expression back in place. “I don’t like how you ran off and didn’t tell anyone, Sylvie. That was straight up bullshit.”

“Whit, don’t curse at your sister,” Father says.

I almost laugh.

“I didn’t like it either,” Father adds, his expression identical to Whit’s, his gaze all for me. “I know you’re an adult, but we worry when we don’t hear from you. When we have no idea where you even are. If you plan on taking a trip, the considerate thing to do is to let us know where you’re going.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice soft. “I just—I really needed to get away for a little while. Everything can get to be too much sometimes, you know?”

The men in my life stare at me with blank expressions on their faces, even Spencer, and my heart dips.

“I get it,” Summer says and I glance over at her, our gazes meeting. I see nothing but understanding shining in her eyes. “Sometimes with everything I have going on, I feel…overwhelmed.”

I nod, grateful for her input, even though she deals with so much more than I do. She’s a mother and a wife, and I’m just me, but I do appreciate her saying she understands me. We’ve been mending our relationship for quite a while, and I’ve worked extra hard to gain her trust back. I can only hope it’s working.

In this moment right now, it feels like it is.

“If she does decide to leave again, we all have to agree that we won’t tell Sylvia where she’s at if she asks,” Spencer says. Like my mother would ever reach out to him. She has to know he wouldn’t tell her even if he was aware of my whereabouts—which he so would now, considering the positive shift in our relationship. “That’s Sylvie’s biggest fear.”

“And the biggest reason she needs to get away sometimes, I’m sure,” Summer adds.

I remain quiet, shocked Spence would just throw that out there for my brother and father to deal with. We tiptoe around my issues with my mother. Very rarely do we face them head on.

“Of course, of course. I know not to tell Sylvia much of anything whenever she reaches out.” My father is blustery, and I can only guess he’s offended Spencer would have to make the reminder.

“If Mother ever gives you any shit, you understand that you can reach out to me at any time, right?” Whit’s voice is firm, as is his expression when he stares me down.

I nod, grateful for the reassuring squeeze Spencer gives my thigh. “I know.”

The server shows up, asking if we’re ready to order and my father starts asking him about the various entrees they have, which is typical. Whit starts whispering to Summer, making her giggle and I watch them, lost in thought.

“We’ve all got your back,” Spencer says, startling me. I turn to find him watching me. “When it comes to your mother. To anything. Every single one of us sitting at this table will protect you. Your sister will too. You realize that, right?”

I nod slowly. “Yes, I do.”

The words slip from my lips without much thought, but I don’t know if I actually believe them. It’s felt like I’ve moved through most of my life without any sort of protection.


Tags: Monica Murphy Romance