87. Luther
Luther
Me: You did not have to give Ashley money.
I shake my head just thinking about it.
After what I put Kendra through today…
Meeting Ashley. The surprise of Jessie being my sister—which was a stupid but honest mistake. I’ve been so caught up in Kendra I forgot all about that little detail.
But I’ll thank the gods for the lady at poker night who gave my mom a cold. If I’d added her to today’s lineup, Kendra would’ve run for the hills.
But instead, she gave my kid money.
My phone vibrates.
Baby Doll: I remember being a broke college student.
I lean back in my chair, the worn leather molding to my shoulders.
Me: I paid for her school. She doesn’t have a single loan.
Baby Doll: That’s really sweet of you.
Me: Thanks, Baby. But I wasn’t fishing for compliments.
Me: Let me properly thank you for your generosity by taking you out for coffee this week. Wednesday?
Baby Doll: In public? Is that a good idea?
She’s not wrong to worry. But I need to feel like I’m doing something to actually woo her.
I need one normal interaction where we don’t have to hide and we don’t have to pretend.
Me: There’s a coffee shop called BeanBag about fifty minutes from here. I think you’d like it.
Baby Doll: I’ll meet you there.
Setting my phone down, I pull her thong out of my pocket and run the material between my fingers.