Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Hendrix
Watching the worry on Maisie’s face as Olivia walked away after dinner to go back to her bedroom tore my heart out.
“It’s going to take time, sweetheart.”
Maisie didn’t take her eyes off the now empty hallway when she answered. “I know that.”
Her words said one thing but the look on her face was a completely different story. She’d had the same look since we picked Olivia up from the airport the day before. I couldn’t help but want to wipe it off her face, but I didn’t know how. Only Olivia could do that and it was any guess how long that would take.
“She has a great support system.”
That got me Maisie’s eyes. “I know. She’s really attached to Lex.”
I hesitated before answering. I wasn’t sure if she was happy about Lex or if it bothered her. “Shared trauma will do that to a person. Lex is just trying to be there for her in his own way.”
Lex left after dinner just now for the first time since coming home with us after the airport yesterday. He even slept on the couch last night. I didn’t ask why and he never gave a reason. Just like with everything else to do with my friend, I accepted his actions.
“Oh no, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing,” Maisie was quick to explain. “I’m glad she has Lex even if I don’t understand their connection. They just sit there in silence.”
“That’s Lex’s way and maybe that’s exactly what Olivia needs right now.”
“Yeah, maybe . . .” Maisie looked lost in thought. “I just don’t want to screw her up like my parents did to Matty and me. We suffered in silence for so long, and as soon as we could get away, we both found trouble.”
And there was the root of the problem. I plucked Maisie right out of her seat and set her on my lap. “Listen to me very carefully.” I made sure I had her full attention before I spoke again. “You’re not going to screw her up. You have me, and while I never thought I would be parent material, I want that girl to have the world. I want her to know she was loved by her parents and now by us. I love you, sweetheart. I will do everything to make sure the two of you have the best life.”
Mushy wasn’t normally my style but it felt appropriate given the circumstance. I never wanted Maisie to feel like she wasn’t good enough to parent Olivia.
“Olivia’s lucky to have us,” I added when she didn’t respond.
“You love me?”
“Seriously?! That’s what you got from all that.” I laughed.
“Well, it’s not like you’ve said the words before.”
“Okay, maybe I hadn’t, but I thought my feelings were obvious. I honestly thought you knew.”
Maisie scoffed. “Women like to hear the words, Hendrix.”
“Fine, I love you. There, is that better?”
She gave me the shiest smile. “Yes, much better and I love you too.”
I got it now. How hearing the words and knowing were two different things. I had no doubt Maisie loved me but to hear her say it? It was otherworldly. I would remember this moment forever.