She rolls her eyes, but I’m starting to see the affection behind the gesture. The comfortability. Shetrusts me, whether I’ve earned it or not.
“I’m just saying,” she continues. “I know I don’t have a lot of options. It’s not like I have peoplebeating down the door to come and take care of me. But still… even if I did, I’d choose you, B. Andif you love Nikolai, then I can make that work. But only if he’s nice to you.”
My chin wobbles as I do my best to hold back the flood of tears threatening to pour out. But I’m onlyhuman, and it was a losing battle from the start. Silent tears slip down my cheeks and Elise snortsagain.
“Not all of us can be as tough as you.”
She shrugs. “We’re both tough. We didn’t get a choice. Mom was a mess. We b
