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Ten minutes later, I see Chloe’s face on my screen.
“Hey, CeCe, you miss me already?”
“Always.”
She leans in. “Have you been crying? Whose A-S-S do I need kick? Do I need to fly back to Trenton right now? Because I will, you know.”
I see Danny in the background, and he gives me a wink, letting me know that he’s spoken to Marks and knows what’s coming.
“You remember the special secret you told me about?”
She nods.
“Well, we have to do a DNA test, but believe it or not, your first true love has been working for me since I bought Wags.”
“Cecilia, please tell me you’re not joking and that she’s a forgiving sort because I don’t want her to hate me and—” Her mouth snaps shut when I hold the phone out and Cora leans her head on my shoulder. Chloe looks her over and holds her hand to her heart. “Oh, sweet girl, I don’t think we need a test. Look at her, Danny.” Tears fall in buckets down her cheeks. “Look at my beautiful baby doll.”
“Yeah.” Danny’s eyes are full of tears now, too. “She’s a Shaw, through and through. Not to scare the hell out you from go, but whatever you need, we’ve got you, Cora.”
Chloe looks up at him. “I wanna hug her, Danny. I wanna hold her and tell her I love her and?—”
“Chloe, turn around and look at the screen—she’s right there.”
She smiles at the screen. “Any chance you’re free to come spend some time with us? I mean, if you want to. Shit, I’m moving too fast, aren’t I?”
“No, I’d love to meet you.” Cora smiles softly at her and tilts her head to the side. “My mom used to tell me an angel gave her the most precious gift.”
“I’d love to meet her again. Let her know she was my angel, as well. I am not trying to take her place and?—”
“Cora’s mom passed away a few years back,” I cut her off, knowing she’s going to feel horrible already and pissed if we don’t stop her.
She covers her mouth with both hands. “I’m so sorry.”
“Please, don’t be sorry. I had an amazing life; my parents were wonderful.”
“Where is your father?—”
“Dating.” She rolls her eyes. “And she’s not good enough for him.”
“You want me to give her a good Texas talking-to?” Chloe asks.
“Say no,” Marks, Gwen, and I all say at the same time.
When Cora laughs, we all fall silent.
“Well, shit.” Danny shakes his head. “You laugh like your mother, young lady.”
Chloe looks up at Danny and scolds him, “You can’t call me that. She gets to make the decision of where we fit in her life.”
“Well, I hear I have lots of options.” Cora laughs then covers her mouth.
“So, you’ve had the talk.” Chloe smiles sadly. “Regardless of where we all stand after this, you beautiful girl, are not the cause of that … that—” She snaps her lips together and clears her throat before continuing, “You gave me hope, and strength.”
“I know that CeCe might fire me if I call myself a ra—” She snaps her lips shut, her eyes go wide, and she shakes her head. “I’m sorry. That was?—”
“Baby doll, we laugh to get through life.”
