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She closed her arht around me “It’s okay,” she promised “I’m here now”

Bailey and I sat on the guest bed, the bedroom door wide open, but there was no Dad I assuive us privacy

Bailey’s eyes were bri over with concern “I think I’d feel better if you were crying This scary quiet you’ve got going on is so”

I ignored that “How did you get here?”

“Well, I have your keys, so I snooped in your apartave me the address and toldthe inn foras you need me”

I wanted to cry, but the tears had all dried up “I love you”

“I love you too And I’m seriously worried about you”

“Where’s Dad?”

“He went downstairs Do you want et him?”

“I can’t face hiive me? Why do any of them? If Michael and my mom can’t, then maybe the rest of them shouldn’t”

The flash of temper flared in her cat-shaped eyes “Like hell! I cannot believe he said what he said to you As for yourthat with bias I a If Michael can’t deal with the past and move on, that’s his problem You tried to mend the breach You tried That’s all anyone can ask

“And your dad and your brothers and sister forgive you for leaving because they love you As for the other thing, there is nothing to forgive, and if you don’t get that through that stubborn head of yours, I’ to physically haul you back to therapy”

I smirked at her no-nonsense attitude “Your bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired”

“You’re not sick, Dahlia You’re sad And you’re loaded with guilt Yes, you could have come home sooner, and yes, you made your family worry about you That is your fault You know that You’ve explained, you’ve apologized, and everyone but Michael ison But Dillon is not your fault None of theuess is that not even Michael believes that You have to let it go”