Chapter 3 Get Along

[Lilah’s POV]

My eyes widen, and I jump up in bed as I realize that the one at my door isn’t my mother.

Why?

Why was he coming to see me like this?

It didn’t make sense.

There was no reason for this man to come and see me privately, so why…

“Lilah.”

Collin’s voice is even and gentle as he calls for me, reminding me that I was leaving him hanging after responding.

So much for pretending to be asleep already, I think. Slowly rising and padding across the room.

“Yeah?”

I pull the door open just a crack to stare into Collin’s dark, predatory eyes, and once again I get that strange feeling like he is sizing me up.

“Did you need something?”

“I brought you some warm milk and snacks.” He explains.

Frowning, I look down and notice the tray he is holding.

“Okay.”

Stepping back, I pull the door open completely and then reach for the tray, but before I can take it, he pulls away.

“Lilah,” he says, his voice even. “I was hoping that you and I could have a chat.”

“A chat,” I repeat, raising a brow. “And what kind of chat is that?”

For a moment, Collin doesn’t speak as he just stares at me.

“Well?” I push, discomfort starting to wash over me.

Dammit. What was it about this man?

Even back when he was treating my father, I felt like this when he looked at me.

It was like he could see through you. See your deepest, darkest places, where none of your secrets were actually secrets.

Why was that?

Was it because of his tall, dark, and handsome looks, like some villain from a movie? Or…

No. There was no way the other option could be an option. Not when this man was married to my mother and the man who replaced my father.

“I know that you’re not a huge fan of me.” He finally admits, snapping me out of my reverie. “But since we are now family, I would like it if we could…”

“No,” I say slowly, knowing where he was going. “I don’t have any interest in doing what it is that you’re suggesting.”

I couldn’t.

I wouldn’t.

Maybe if he and my mother waited more than a few fucking months to tie the knot I would be more willing, but given the speed at which they got together, I wouldn’t even humor it.

“I appreciate you trying to make peace.” I continue, reaching down and wrapping my hands around the tray. “But I don’t see a reason. You and my mother are adults, and you are more than able to do whatever you want, but me… I just can’t accept you like she did.”

As I speak, I try to pull the tray free, but Collin holds onto it strongly.

“And why is that?” He asks, staring at me. “Why is it that you’re so adamant about not accepting me?”

“Does it matter?” I growl. “I’m not the one you married, so how I feel doesn’t mean a thing.”

What the hell was his problem?

I just got here, and he was already coming at me aggressively.

“I’m not going to be here for long anyway.” I continue, just wanting to end this uncomfortable conversation. “Once I find a place, I’ll leave, and you and my mother can…”

“Lilah,” Collin says gently. “Even then, don’t you know the pain that your mother suffers over you being so distant?”

His words are like a knife stabbing into me, and all I can think is, "How could he?"

How could he stoop so fucking low as to use my mother’s feelings against me?

“Don’t push me,” I warn, releasing the tray and grabbing the knob to my door. “I’ve said what I needed to say, and nothing you say can change my feelings.”

I’m done. I think silently, suddenly feeling exhausted.

“And if you aren’t going to give me your offering, then please just leave.”

As I speak, I start to close the door, but before I can close it completely, Collin sticks out a foot. completely,

“What are you doing?” I demand angrily. “Move your foot.”

“Not until you talk to me.” He counters.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“I don’t agree.”

Eyes widening, I stare in disbelief at the man in front of me.

Why was he so insistent on us talking things out?

Did it really matter whether or not we got along as long as he and my mother lived happily?

“Leave,” I say slowly, my anger starting to bubble over. “If you don’t, I’m going to find a hotel to stay at, and you can explain to my mother why I’m leaving.”

I was done.

I didn’t want to do this ridiculous back and forth with this man.

Even if it made me look stubborn and childish to keep pushing and arguing, I just couldn’t help all the emotions that were bubbling up inside me.

All I wanted to do was scream and accuse him of betraying my father and ruining my family, but even I know deep down that was ridiculous.

“Just leave,” I repeat, kicking his foot out of the way. “And stop bothering me.”

[Collin’s POV]

I watch as the door slams in front of me, blocking Lilah from my view and leaving me staring in disbelief.

“Fuck,” I chuckle, looking down at the tray I’m holding. “She’s more stubborn than I could even believe.”

Sighing, I continue to stand in place, waiting and watching to see if the woman in question would feel bad and at least say sorry, but when that doesn’t happen, I turn and head downstairs where Donna is waiting for me.

“Any luck?” She asks, eyeing me as I set my tray on the table.

“No.”

Honestly, I didn’t think that anything would come from my attempt at trying to make peace, but even then, Donna insisted that I try something.

Of course, I didn’t argue with her because I understood where she was coming from with her need.

She wanted to try to mend the crack in their relationship because of me, but Lilah was stubborn.

“Maybe I should try,” Donna murmurs, her head bowing so her long dark hair falls around her face, hiding it from me. “Maybe if I try explaining, she will…”

“No,” I tell her, closing the distance between us and pulling her against me. “Just give her a bit of time. She’s going through a rough patch, and anything stressful will just make her shut down.”

Sighing, Donna leans into me, snaking her arms around my waist and snuggling against me.

It’s amazing just how much she leans on me in times like this, and it reminds me of our time together while her late husband was dying.

Even back then she leaned on me for support, and I do believe that was when our attraction for one another started growing.

I was certain that Lilah saw it too, and that was the reason she was so against our being together, but as an adult she should be able to understand that even if someone passes, time continues to move.

“I’ll try again tomorrow,” I murmur, kissing the top of Donna’s hair. “Maybe after some sleep she will be more willing.”

But she wasn’t.

When the next day comes, Lilah leaves early, saying that she is going house hunting.

Donna and I insisted on going with her to try to help, but she refused our kindness.

In the evening when she would return, it would only be briefly for her to shower and change before heading out to see friends that she hadn’t seen in a while.

It became a habit for her to do this.

Leave early in the morning, return, shower, change, and then leave again, and before I even knew it, a week had passed without us making any type of peace.

To say that it was frustrating was an understatement, but even then I knew that I couldn’t force her to sit down and speak to me.

I would have to continue to wait for the right moment and then make my move, but sadly, I didn’t know how long that would be.