My CEO 190

190 Being a Daughter (Winona)

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Jayden walks into my living room with a kind of swagger I haven't seen in a while.

He's got that confident, easy-going smile that used to drive me crazy back in college-the one that says he knows exactly what he wants, and he's not afraid to go after it.

"I'm done with therapy," he says, like it's the most natural thing in the world.

I blink at him, caught off guard. "What do you mean, done?"

"Exactly that. I don't need to see Barnaby anymore. I've got my shit together, and I'm in control. No more sessions."

It's not a question, and he's not looking for my approval. He's telling me, plain and simple, that he's made up his mind. There's something undeniably attractive about the way he says it-like he's finally stepping into his own power. But there's also a part of me that's surprised by how resolute he is.

"You're sure about this?"

"Absolutely," he says, walking over to me and pulling me into his arms. "I know what I want, and I'm not going to let anything or anyone get in the way of that. And right now, what I want is to take you out on a date."

His tone shifts, dropping to that low, playful one he used to use when we were younger, and I can't help but smile.

"A date, huh?"

a strand of hair behind my ear. "Just you, me, and some seriously good

I

to kiss me softly.

in my belly. It's been so long since we've just been... us. No drama, no chaos. Just

giving me that boyish look that used to melt my heart. "Great. I'll pick you up at seven. Be ready to be wowed.

I fell in love with the one who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it. Maybe this is the

doing better, I can see it in the way she holds herself, the way she talks about the future. But there's still a fragility to her, and I know physically

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190 Being a Daughter

casual. "Maybe you could stay here. Permanently, I mean. You could help me with Abby,

in her mind. "Winona, I... I'd love to be close to you, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of responsibility. I mean physically I'm not strong. I'd be worried about being alone with her for too long." "Let's take it a little at

at her lips. "I'll consider it. It's hard adjusting from being independent, and there's Cass to consider. It's just been her and I

get it, Mom. No

I can say anything else, Cass bursts into the room, her energy filling the space.

I ask,

me. I'll take good care of you."

care of Mom. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. But in any case, it's okay. I get why she feels that

see," she says gently. "One

says, though I can tell she's already making

new job. But the conversation leaves me with a lot to think about. Cass is trying to carve out her own place in

the

it does remind me that our family, as much as we're trying to rebuild it, is still fractured. There are pieces missing, and I'm not sure how to put them

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