Without a Hitch(94)

Kitty’s father wasn’t the best businessman, and my father was more interested in the image than the work, but neither family wanted to give up, so our parents, in a way, arranged for our marriage.” I openly gape at my father. “I was never a great businessman either.” He winks. “That’s why Kitty is and will always be the brains of this operation.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Ollie. You and your charisma played a large part in turning our fortunes around.”

My head ping-pongs between my parents, their affection for each other more confusing than ever.

“You married for money?”

“Sort of. We’d been friends for years. We promised each other that our friendship would always come first. We’d do what we had to do, but we would always make sure the other was happy.”

“We’ve always loved each other, Banny. And we built our life around that love. It may not be conventional, but it’s true,” my mother says with a fondness to her tone. “Love isn’t finite. There are no steadfast rules for it, trust me. I’ve tried to find them, but love is fluid. It’s different for every person and every situation.”

“Your mother is my soul mate, Banny. She’s my ride or die, and Lila was the love of my life. Love and how you wield it is a choice, son. Your mother and I chose to love each other as friends.”

Turning a scowl on my mother, I shake my head, trying to force something to make sense. “But why do you keep opening your heart, Mum? You’ve had it broken so many times. Surely, it can’t be worth it?”

“Do you love this girl, Banny?”

I glare at my mother.

“Do you?” she prods.

“I don’t know if I can.”

“It’s really very simple. Either you do or you don’t.” She tuts briskly. “I keep choosing love because there’s nothing like that first kiss. That first flutter in your chest. I choose love because I deserve it, and I know I’ll find it someday.” I shift uncomfortably in the tub as my ass goes numb from being in this position for an unknown number of hours.

She leans against the counter and studies my face. “Love isn’t just about the highs in life, Lochlan.

It’s about how you react to the lows. Who has your back and who will pick you up. Loving someone is the greatest gift you can ever give. It’s how you love someone in the quiet moments when no one’s looking that matters.”

“Is there heartbreak sometimes?” My mother continues. “Sure there is. That’s life, and it’s going to happen whether you let love in or not. But isn’t it better to have someone to share the laughter, the heartache, the crazy ride of life with, even if it’s only temporary? I didn’t go into any of my marriages thinking about the end. I focused on the beginning, and every single one of them brought me joy in some way. I don’t regret that. I don’t regret any of them because they each taught me something different about myself. Finding what makes you happy in life is what living is all about.”

I still don’t understand, but when I lift my gaze, I find my sister staring at me with an odd expression. She enters the room with some water and a sandwich. “Nice shirt,” she murmurs with an evil grin. “What’s really going on with you?”

“Why do you have to be so damn perceptive?”

“I learned from the best.” She nods toward my dad, and I let out a groan. The man sits there with the sunniest disposition. You’d think he was Mr. Fucking Rogers. “Why’d Tilly leave? I thought she was here until the gala?”

“Her forest caught fire.”

Nova’s expression curls the corners of my lips into a smile. “I’m going to need you to explain that one.”

“She caught feelings,” my father explains, cracking open a beer.

“Ollie!” my mother gasps. “Is that even cold?”

He takes a large gulp and shivers. “Warm as tea, my dear. Want some?”

“Not very likely.”

“Focus, guys. So, she caught feelings, and you didn’t?” The way Nova is glaring at me, I know this is about to get bumpy.

“Not exactly. She warned me. She told me coming here would be a mistake. I’m sure it’s in a song. Would you like me to sing it? I’m an excellent singer.”

They don’t appear to find me funny, which is ridiculous because I’m bloody hilarious.

“Was it a mistake?” my mother asks, finally resting a hip on the edge of the tub next to my father.

Instead of answering, I stare straight into my father’s soul. “Do you still miss her?”

“Who? What are you talking about?”

I examine my father as he leans forward. So open and honest. I wonder if it ever gets tiresome.

“Lila.”

My father’s face contorts, and he taps his forefinger on his chin. I don’t dare look at Nova. “Every day of my life,” he finally says.

“Do you regret it? Loving her when you only had her for such a short time?”

“God no, boy. The great thing about love is that it goes on. It lives in the memories. I’ve had the love of two amazing women in my life. They’ve made me crazy. They’ve made me cry and scream.

They’ve also given me the best gifts a man could ever ask for. They gave me you and Nono.”