“I can’t say I disagree. I suppose, deep down, I want Hillary to know I will always love her. If letting her have the wedding dress she wants relays the message, then all the better.”
“Excellent, because I’ve decided not to tell her.”
Eddie’s mouth thinned before it sagged open. “What are you getting at? Why not?”
“Because, Eddie, I feel you need to do it yourself.”
“What? I can’t. You and I both know Hillary won’t talk to me.”
“You found a way around her stubborn pride before; do it again. This is your daughter; she’s hurting the same way you are. You’re the only one who can take this pain away. I didn’t say it would be easy, but what I do know is that you both desperately need this. It’s slowly eating you up, and Hillary isn’t doing much better. She needs her father, and she wants a relationship with you. Not you and Laura. You. Once she believes that you love her, then maybe she’ll open her heart to Laura.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Perhaps not, but I know my daughters. Marie’s already halfway there, and if given the chance she’d run to you with open arms.” Their youngest was by far the most forgiving. Hillary took after her father and was quick to anger and struggled with forgiveness, unwilling to let go of past hurts.
Silence hung over them as Eddie mulled over her words.
“Will you talk to Hillary?” she asked gently.
His gaze connected with hers. “You won’t do it for me?”
His question caused her to emit a short laugh. “No. That was a joke, right?”
“No.” His shoulders trembled with a deep sigh.
“Eddie?” Julia wasn’t about to let him off lightly.
“Okay. I’ll think about it.”
This was all he was willing to give her. Julia had no choice; she had to accept his decision. “Don’t wait long, Eddie.” If he dallied, it could well be too late, and he’d forever lose both his daughters.
Standing, he looked ready to leave before he paused. “You still seeing Laura’s ex?”
“Yes, Heath and I do well together.”
He snorted as if thoroughly amused, and then shook his head as if he found it hard to believe. “You know Laura and I think this is all a bunch of bull.”
She ignored the jab. “As I mentioned before, Heath and I share a lot in common.” Biting her tongue was difficult. How badly she wanted to remind him they had both been betrayed by the one person they loved and trusted most in the world.
Eddie knocked his knuckles against the tabletop. “I bet you do.” Once again, he started to leave. “Oh, one last thing.”
“Sure.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t contact me again outside of anything to do with the girls. It distresses Laura.”
“Then I won’t,” she said with a saccharine-sweet smile. “The last thing I would want to do is distress your wife.”
* * *
—
“How’d your talk go with Eddie?” Heath asked when they met in the lobby before heading out to play tennis.
Julia wasn’t sure how best to answer. “About as good as it could, I suppose. Eddie is, well, Eddie. It’s hard for him to admit when he’s in the wrong, and even harder to make amends.” She didn’t mention the final dig. He’d acted like she made excuses to contact him, when nothing could be further from the truth. She’d done what she could to help him and their daughters. What happened next was up to him.
Heath gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I know this was hard for you.”
She appreciated his understanding. It had been difficult, and she was grateful it was over. Time to move on and shake off the unpleasant meeting. Playing tennis to work out her frustrations was exactly what she needed now.
“Did you tell him what you decided?”
“Yep, and then I suggested this might well be his last chance with the girls. What he does now is up to him. If he chooses not to act, then he’ll need to learn to live with the regrets.”
“Those are strong words.”
“They are,” she agreed, but she meant everything she’d said.
“Hey, you two,” Carrie said as they walked toward the concierge desk. “It looks like you’re off to Wimbledon.”
Heath laughed. His hand remained on Julia’s shoulder, a gentle reassurance that he was by her side. Julia had talked about her decision with him and had appreciated his words of wisdom. He didn’t advise her, didn’t try to persuade her one way or the other. He had simply listened and encouraged her.