Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(75)

“No, sweetie, why?” I take the tutu off my head and set it on the table; in part because it’s tight, and also because this seems like a bit of a serious conversation.

She lifts a shoulder and lets it fall. “Why doesn’t Granny like Harley?”

I fight not to react to that. “Why would you say that?”

Peyton picks at the crust and focuses on her plate. “The things Granny says sometimes. It seemed like she was upset that Harley was at lunch with us. And she didn’t want Harley to come to the park with us today, but it’s always more fun when Harley is around. It’s not that Granny isn’t fun, but Harley is … softer. Granny is like a stale marshmallow, and Harley is like a fresh one.”

I smile at the comparison. “I don’t think Granny doesn’t like Harley. I think she just isn’t used to me having a girlfriend.”

“It’s not going to be like when you had that girlfriend before. Trista, I think?”

I blink in surprise. I didn’t think she remembered Trista at all. “What do you mean, it’s not going to be like Trista?”

“She was nice. I liked her. She reminds me of Harley a little. But she wasn’t around for very long, and Granny didn’t like her either. I don’t want that to happen with Harley. I don’t want her to stop coming to pick me up from school, or taking me to the park, or making glitter crafts.”

“Trista didn’t stop coming around because of Granny,” I tell her, but as I say it, I’m not entirely sure that’s the truth. “I know it might seem like that, but Trista and I just weren’t right for each other.”

“Do you think you and Harley are right for each other?” she asks.

I smile softly, struggling for words. “Harley and I have a lot in common, and she understands me in ways that not everyone can.”

Peyton tips her head to the side. “I have lots in common with Harley too. We both like fun art stuff, and we’re not afraid to make a mess because they can always be cleaned up. And we both don’t have a mom because they’re up in heaven.”

“That’s very true.” I swallow past the lump in my throat.

“Harley says they’re up in heaven watching us. And if we pay attention sometimes, they send us signs.”

“Is that so?” Sometimes I wish Marcie would send me a sign. Something to let me know that she approves of my choices. That Harley is the right one for me and Peyton. That she’s okay with me moving on.

She nods. “Do you think Mommy would have liked Harley?”

I have to clear my throat to answer. “I think she would have.”

“Me too. I wonder if Mommy and Harley’s mom are friends in heaven. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” She takes another bite of her grilled cheese.

Her gentle innocence breaks my heart and makes it swell at the same time. “It would.”





Twenty-One


AN UNCERTAIN TRUCE


HARLEY

At ten on Sunday night, just as I’m getting ready for bed, my phone rings. I check the screen, and my heart does a little leap and spin in my chest.

I answer the call with, “hey.”

“Hey, yourself. I missed you this weekend.” Gavin’s voice is soft and raspy. He clears his throat. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I drop down on my couch, put the phone on speaker, and set it on the armrest.

“For the way Karen acted on Friday, and for not putting her in her place. For not sticking up for you the way I should have, and for letting her undermine my parenting,” he says softly.

“I’m trying to understand why you allow it and what exactly I’ve done to make her dislike me so much. Does she know about what happened before you moved? That I tried to kiss you?” Even now, after our discussion and his assurances, I still feel the familiar heat of embarrassment creeping up my spine. Especially at the idea that he might have confided something like that to his mother-in-law.

“God no. I never told anyone about that.”

“Not even Ian?”

“No. Not even Ian.” He sighs. “It’s not about you, Harley. Karen is struggling with the fact that she was basically a mother figure for Peyton, and now she feels as though that’s been taken away from her because of the move. And now we have you.”

It takes a few seconds for it to sink in. “Oh. Oh.” I consider how hard that would be, going from seeing Peyton almost daily to only once a month. It would be similar to a divorced parent losing most of their custodial rights. “And she sees me as a replacement?”

“I guess in a way. I knew it was going to be hard for her. I don’t think I realized exactly how hard. And it’s made that much harder for her because Peyton has settled in here so quickly. And she talks about you a lot.” Gavin’s voice is full of apology.

Some of my frustration with Karen disappears. “This is a delicate balance for you, isn’t it?”

“It is, and I can’t control Karen’s behavior, but we sat down and talked it through, and I think we’re in a better place. I assured her that her role in Peyton’s life hasn’t changed, and that she needs to let me do the parenting, since it’s my job. And that she needs to cut out the snide comments because they’re not going unnoticed and it’s unfair to you.”