Page 79 of The One You Want

Rose was lucky she’d gotten away when she did and worked to overcome what their father had done to them. Poppy had been stuck these last three years. Not anymore. Her new, brighter future started now.

Rose brushed her hand up Poppy’s arm. “It took a lot of introspection, making mistakes and fixing them, not listening to his voice in my head anymore, and discovering who I am and what I like and want in order to move forward. But I feel like I’m the best version of me right now, even if I am a work in progress and always will be.”

What a great way to look at things.

Poppy didn’t feel like the best version of herself at the moment, but she’d made some small changes. They felt right. They were a step in the right direction. Her new look would help her get a better job. She’d taken a page out of her sister’s book and fixed up her room, allowing herself to feel like she deserved to have nice things and feel good about herself.

She’d even looked up college courses at a few of the schools nearby. She’d taken a few here and there, but never found her focus or drive to finish. Now, she wanted to get her degree.

The doorbell rang.

Rose smiled. “Mom, would you get that? It’s probably Gray. I just need a minute with Poppy before I go.”

“Sure.” Her mom brushed her hand over Rose’s shoulder before she left the kitchen.

“What is it?” Poppy asked, concerned her sister really did blame her for their father’s death.

“I know it’s hard to put the past behind you. I understand that what he did to you was terrible. I want you to know that I’m here for you anytime you want to talk, or even if you just need me to be there so you’re not alone in it. There were so many times I wanted to call you, or come and see you and just be with you because you got it. You were the only one who knew what I was going through.”

“I’m sorry I pushed you away every time you tried.”

“I understand.” Rose was the only one who truly did understand Poppy. “I wish I’d been braver back then, and strong enough those first couple of years to help you before it got so bad you felt like no one could help you.”

“Don’t.” Poppy stopped her there. “You did what you had to do. I understand that now.”

“And you did what you had to do. No matter what you might think, it’s not your fault. You need to believe that, because I do. It was an accident that could have been a worse tragedy. Let it go. Let him go. And let’s be sisters again.”

Poppy threw herself into Rose’s open arms. “I want that so much.”

“Me, too.” Rose squeezed her tight, then let her loose and wiped away the tears rolling down Poppy’s cheeks. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” They needed to say it more to each other.

They both heard their mom greeting Gray in the other room.

Poppy caught Rose’s eye. “Mom protected me that night.She told the cops he was drunk and slipped at the top of the stairs and that she was the one who’d been arguing with him. She could have gotten into a lot of trouble if they didn’t believe her story.”

“I’m so glad she came through for you when it really mattered. But I want you to always remember, you did not cause the fall. And saving yourself isn’t the same as being responsible for his death.”

Rose hugged her again with the same ferocity as before.

Poppy held on for a minute, then stepped back and waved Rose away. “Go. Gray’s waiting for you.”

Rose smiled and headed out of the kitchen.

Poppy followed and felt a rush of happiness for her sister when Gray smiled at her like he hadn’t seen her in a year. Rose’s eyes went wide when Gray handed her the gorgeous bouquet of pink roses.

Rose buried her face in the blooms, inhaling the heady scent.

Poppy smiled at Gray. “Those are her favorite.” She thought of the pictures Rose had kept all these years.

“She told me you used to draw them for her when you were kids.”

“Rose has a big heart. She’s sentimental. Sweet, like those roses. Be sure to treat her like you would the delicate blooms.”

“I will. But roses are also strong and resilient.”

“Just like her,” they said in unison.