Noli shrugs. “With the help of Rose.”
I cock my head, narrowing my gaze. I’m the big sister. I’m supposed to be the one who does the planning, coordinating, and overall logistical work of the Kasper family.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Noli points her finger at me. “You know best most of the time, Pops, but right now, you’re going to sabotage a chance at legitimate happiness. Why?”
I slump down into the bed. “He lied to me.”
Noli nods as if she were expecting this. I told my sisters everything about the email debacle as soon as we knew Noli wasn’t seriously injured.
“He did,” she agrees.
“So, that’s it.”
“That’s what?”
“I don’t know. I have trust issues, Noli.” I throw up my hands.
She nods again, all even-keeled. Meanwhile, I feel like I’m spiraling.
“Let me ask you a question,” she says. “You’ve known Mack for three months, correct?”
“Give or take.”
“And in that time, has he done anything to you that would make you question his intentions or his integrity?”
“Well, no,” I admit. “Not until the truth about the emails came out. But how do I know if I can believe him about anything else going forward?”
Noli stares me down. “I think you know the answer to that question,” she says quietly.
I swallow against the lump in my throat. Because Ido.I’ve known it from the beginning. Mack is a good man. He’s honest and hardworking, and he looks out for me. He wants what’s best for me. I don’t believe he had any ill intentions where the emails were concerned.
I start massaging my temples. “The truth is, now that I left town, I’m terrified of pursuing something with Mack. My feelings for him are so strong they scare me, and what if he leaves me like Dad did?”
I glance over to find Noli watching me with a look I don’t recognize in her eyes. I cringe. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Now Noli looks affronted. “Why not?”
I wave my hands around in a circle. “Because. You shouldn’t have to worry about my daddy issues.”
Noli snorts. “We all share the same daddy issues.”
“But I should be able to handle it. I don’t need you and Rose to be worried about me.”
“Well, newsflash: we care about you like you care about us. We want you to be happy. We certainly don’t expect you to be the only one to carry the family’s crosses.”
I sit back, stunned. “I…well, okay. That’s nice of you to say.”
Noli shrugs. “It’s the truth. We’re all in this together. Which is why I’m sending you back to Cashmere Cove where you belong.”
“I…how do you know that’s where I belong?”
Noli swishes her hand through the air. “It’s plain as day, even over video calls, that you are made for each other. Rose confirmed it. She said that when you were together, it was like magic.”
I pull in a breath. Mack Bradley is a lot like magic. I feel full of awe and wonder around him.
Noli leans back against the bed. “He’s a good man. Don’t let your fear or your misplaced sense of duty to me or Rose or whoever stop you from pursuing a future with him.”
I open my mouth, not sure what argument I can make against that. Noli stops me before I can get started.
