“Are you sure you want to pay for her tuition? You’re already supporting us.”

“You’re family, and I take care of family.”

I’m protective of my family—okay, fine. Maybe too overprotective.

Since Ellis’s life insurance money ran out six months ago, I’ve been taking care of her until she can find a job.

“Thanks,” she says.

Cora skips to the porch, snuggles on my lap and lays her head on my chest as her swimsuit dampens my black shirt and basketball shorts.

“Tuxedo Mask, I missed you.” I hear the smile in her voice.

She gave me the nickname from her favorite show Sailor Moon because every time she saw me I wore a suit like the character.

“I miss you too, Chibiusa.” I gave her that nickname because it’s her favorite character from the show.

“When are you gonna take me to meet Alana?”

This has been the question for ten months now. She’s been asking every Sunday when I visit her, and I’ve been giving her bullshit answers. I’m not ready to face what I did, and if I expose her to Alana, then I have to face my demons.

It’s selfish, but I’m choosing myself over them.

“No, not yet. But I will.”

“When?” Her voice is sweet as cotton candy.

“Cora, go set the dinner table now.” Rylee jerks her chin to the glass sliding doors.

Cora gives me a peck on my cheek before jumping off my lap and plods into the kitchen, closing the door behind her.

“You need to keep your word and introduce her to Alana. She’s family. Alana has a right to know.”

Rylee’s words slice through me like a sword, and guilt eats at me.

“You can’t keep breaking Cora’s heart. She looks up to you and loves you.”

“I love her too.” I rub my bottom lip with my index finger as my eyes wander to the calm sea.

“Then start acting like it.” She stands up from the rocking chair and walks inside. I turn to look at them as Rylee says something to Cora. Sadness colors Cora’s face like Rylee told her that her puppy died.

The more I keep Cora from Alana, the deeper the grave I dig is going to be.

* * *

Monday rolls around. Gia and I are in and out of meetings, having lunch with Mason to go over the market analysis, and not getting too excited that the stocks in Underwood Banking went up twenty percent. While the stock market is up, the stock at American Banking is going down, so Darien and I have to form a board because it’s mayhem over there.