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if she’d gotten help for her mother, she
wouldn’t have died. She’d been angry at her mother—even secretly
hated her at times. When she passed away, the bottom had fallen out
of her world, and she wished she had been less judgmental and more
helpful.
    “After she died, Jewel and I barely made ends
meet,” she whispered, hanging her head. “We lied, begged. When we
couldn’t get what we needed, we stole it—food, clothes—and moved
around from place to place, sometimes staying with family,
sometimes sleeping wherever we could lay our heads. We did whatever
we had to do to survive.”
    “Couldn’t you get help from the state?”
    “Yes. But as minors, we didn’t want to end up
in the foster care system and risk getting split up. We had been
through so much together, the thought of getting separated
terrified us. When I won a scholarship to go to college, I thought
our prayers had been answered. I was able to get additional
financial aid, and I wanted to rent a small apartment off campus.
That way Jewel could stay with me and finish high school, and if I
got a part-time job, we could live more comfortably than we had in
years.” Sabrina sighed. “But she met an older man and forgot all
about school and our plans. They moved in together and everything
about her changed after that. He was the worst thing that ever
happened to her.” Tears clouded her vision. “I wish I could have
done something to convince her to leave him.”
    Renaldo stroked her hair consolingly. “You
did the best you could.”
    She sniffed to keep her nose from running.
“What do you think of me now?”
    His hand cupped her cheek. “I think what I
thought the first time I met you. You are a strong woman. I admire
your strength even more now that I know what you’ve been through.
If you thought I would judge you, you’re wrong.” He smiled
ruefully. “You are a better person than I am. Because even after
everything that’s happened between you and your cousin, you still
forgive her. You still protect her.”
    “She’s family. We’re all we’ve got. I won’t
turn my back on her. She needs love and forgiveness. It’s not too
late for her, and everyone deserves a second chance.”
    “You’ve given her several second chances.” He
fell silent. “I admire you, Sabrina. I admire your ability to
forgive. I have a habit of cutting people off when they hurt me or
make a mistake.”
    “If you love someone, you learn to forgive
them,” Sabrina said. “Sometimes losing them hurts more than the
pain they’ve caused you. Believe me, when Jewel acts the way she
does, I know it’s the drugs. When she’s herself, she’s such a good
person—caring and generous to a fault.”
    “Like you.” He traced the fullness of her
lips with his thumb.
    A tremulous smile graced her lips. “I must
look awful right now.”
    “No, you look beautiful. I missed you these
past few days.”
    “I missed you, too.”
    He gently kissed each eyelid. “I really,
really missed you.” His voice sounded husky and filled with
longing.
    She nodded, emotion clogging her throat.
    “I love you, Sabrina.” Her gaze flew up to
meet his. He cupped her face in his hands. “I couldn’t stop
thinking about you. I missed talking to you. I missed hearing your
voice.” He swallowed, brushing a palm over her thick hair. “I
thought I was losing my mind. That’s why I had to come see
you.”
    “Do you mean it?” It was too good to be true.
Not only did he not care about her past, but he loved her, too?
    “Yes.”
    She wrapped her arms around his neck and
kissed him hard on the mouth. “I love you, too.”
    “Do you mean it?” he teased with a smile,
echoing her question.
    “Yes!” She kissed him again. Her body pressed
closer to the hard planes of his, as he cupped her bottom and
prolonged the kiss.
    Finally, he lifted his head and whispered,
“How are you with long distance relationships?”
    “I’ve never been in one, but we can make it
work, right?