Park Avenue Player(75)
I went with her to the bedroom to make sure she was okay.
Bree sat on the edge of the bed and patted the spot next to her. “We’re never going to have these depressing discussions after today. But things needed to be said.”
“I understand. And I’m amazed at how brave you are, holding it all together while you do this. You’re incredible, Bree.”
She took my hand in hers. “I need you to do something for me. I didn’t want to discuss it in front of Tobias.”
“Of course, anything.”
She smiled. “I was counting on you saying that.”
“What do you need?”
“I need you to promise me you’ll fight for true love.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I worry about things—like my dad not going to church after I’m gone, because he blames God. So I made him promise he’d go to services every Sunday for a year after I’m not around anymore. I figured if he could get through that first year, his faith would help him find his way the rest of the time. And I worry you’ve given up on love because so many people have disappointed you in your life.”
I sighed. “I want to give you anything that will make you happy. But I’m not sure how to promise I’ll fight for something that may not exist, Bree.”
She frowned. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“I mean, really trust me. Blindly. Enough that you can believe something I say to be true, even if it doesn’t make any sense to you?”
I thought about it. “I think so.”
She looked me in the eyes. “Good. Real love is out there, because I’ve experienced it. I don’t talk about my ex a lot because our breakup was difficult for me. But I’ve been loved by a man and loved him back in a way that was pure and true. So I can tell you, without any hesitation whatsoever, that real love exists.”
“I believe you experienced that. But how can you be certain there’s someone out there like that for everyone?”
She looked down at her hands for a minute before looking back up at me. “Faith. I have faith.”
I wanted to believe what she said, if for no other reason than to put her mind at ease. But I also didn’t want to lie to her. So I offered what I could. “I promise you I’ll try. I promise I’ll fight for love if I experience it—that I won’t run the other way if things get tough. Can that be enough?”
Bree smiled. “That’s all I can ask for. You’re so stubborn. I know if you commit to me that you’ll fight for something, you’ll get it. All I needed was that commitment. So it does put my mind at ease.”
I smiled. “Okay, crazy lady. Whatever makes you happy.”
Bree squeezed my hand. “I’m going to lie down. I expect you to go on out to the living room and get your ass good and drunk while I take my nap. Maybe tell off my asinine stepbrother as a way to vent some of your anger. I think you deserve it.”
She really was amazing. I started to get up and then sat back down and pulled her close for a long, tight hug.
“I love you, Bree.”
“I love you, too, Elodie.”
Chapter 34
* * *
Elodie
I’d never been more drained than when I got home Sunday evening. The weekend at the lake house had sucked out all my energy, even though we did nothing but sit around for two days.
What I needed was a nice, long, hot soak. I filled the bathtub and tossed in my favorite Lush bath bomb, called Sex. It was supposed to have some sort of powerful ylang ylang aphrodisiac, but I just liked the jasmine smell and how the soymilk in it left my skin feeling soft.
I undressed and lifted one foot into the warm water, but as I attempted to shift my weight and fully get in, my doorbell rang.
Jesus. You’ve got to be kidding me.
I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I figured it was probably someone trying to sell me something I didn’t want, or worse, someone trying to preach to me about their damn religion. I hesitated with one foot in the water and considered ignoring it, but then I worried it might be Bree and grabbed my bathrobe off the hook on the back of the bathroom door.
I pushed up onto my tippy toes to peek through the peephole and was surprised to find Hollis standing on my welcome mat. I hadn’t heard from him all weekend, and it looked like he was alone, though he should’ve had Hailey with him.
I cinched the belt on my robe and opened the door. “Hollis? What are you doing here?”
His eyes raked down my body and took in my exposed legs. My robe was pretty short.
He cleared his throat. “Hey. Can I come in?”
I looked over his shoulder to check inside the car. “Is Hailey with you?”
He shook his head. “She called this morning and said the Bransons wanted to stay another night. So she won’t be home until tomorrow.”
“Oh.” I stepped aside. “Sure. Come in. I was just about to get in the bath. Let me turn the water off.”
Hollis nodded.
Inside the bathroom, I twisted the faucet off and lifted the lever on the drain release. I took a look at my reflection in the full-length mirror and deliberated changing from the skimpy silk robe I had on into something more appropriate.