She brings the kettle over, then a tray with four cups and a few types of tea.
“If you weren’t dead, where have you been?” I ask.
Leo grabs a cup and tea bag. “It’s a long story, but I’ve been living in Barcelona.”
Logan clears his throat and then stands up. “Thank you for the tea, but we really do need to get going.”
My uncle stops mid-pour of the hot water into his teacup. “Nonsense, you haven’t even had any tea yet.”
“Sorry, but we can’t stay,” Logan says.
Leo glances at me as I stand up. “Well, you both must come for dinner soon.”
“Yes,” my mom says. “Let’s do Sunday dinners. But Delaney, I’m not so sure you should bring him.” She nods to Logan.
“Sunday dinners, what a fantastic idea, Maureen!” Leo says.
I ignore my mom’s comment as Logan walks toward my chair. Now is not the time to get into anything with her. “Thank you for the tea,” I say, even though we didn’t have any.
“Oh, if you speak to your brother, tell him to call me,” my mom says.
“Will do!” I yell as we reach the foyer.
Logan grabs my suitcase and leads me out.
Once we are in his car and pulling out of the driveway, I turn to him. “What the hell was that?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know, but it was weird.”
“Weird is an understatement. My uncle is not dead. Apparently, he set my dad up to be killed, and now he and my mom are a couple?”
“Yep,” Logan says.
“This isn’t real life. This is a soap opera.” I lean back in my seat. If I really think about it, though, my mom has been depressed for as long as I’ve known her. This is the first time I can say she seemed happy. “If she’s happy, then I really don’t care if she’s with my uncle or not.”
Logan glances at me. “I’m surprised.”
“Why?”
“I remember you being protective of your dad all those years ago. I’m surprised you didn’t jump across the table when your uncle admitted what he’d done.”
I turn my attention out the window. “Initially, that was my first reaction, but then, as my mom pointed out, my dad wasn’t exactly a dad with the things he made me do.”
“What all did he make you do?”
“You know about it all. He made me quit art and marry Nelson. After Nelson and I were officially wed, I realized my dad always put the business before me. Before his family.”
Logan grabs my hand. “I’m sorry.”
I shrug. “It’s in the past.” Although the strong urge I have to cry tells me, it’s not for me.
“Are you still on board with getting away from the business? You know, now that your uncle is here?”
I turn to him, but he’s staring straight ahead. “Of course I am.”
He blows out a breath. “That’s good because I can’t be a part of what your family does. You understand that, right?”
“I do.”
