Chapter 26

Liza cherished movie nights with Cindy. She loved curling up on the couch, a massive bowl of popcorn and a packet of chocolate cookies between them, laughing uproariously at their favourite comedies they rewatched countless times.

But tonight, not even the funniest animated ogrecould dredge up a chuckle. Cindy had picked up on her mood, barely making a dent in the popcorn when she usually devoured the lot.

‘Are you sad because Wade left?'

Reluctant to discuss this with Cindy because she didn't want to stress her out unnecessarily, Liza dragged her gaze from the TV screen and forced a smile for her sister, knowing she'd have to give Cindy some semblance of the truth for her to drop the topic.

‘Yeah, I'll miss him.'

A tiny frown marred Cindy's brow. ‘Where is he going?'

‘London.'

‘Wow.' Cindy's eyes widened to huge blue orbs. ‘Lucky guy. London's an amazing city. Wish we could go.'

Cindy crammed another fistful of popcorn into her mouth, chewed, before continuing. ‘Maybe we could visit Wade there?'

Stunned, Liza stared at Cindy. She'd never heard her sister articulate any great desire to travel. The furthest they'd been was Sydney when Jimmy had been up for a mega award, and Liza had spent the entire time torn between caring for Cindy and ensuring she presented the perfect WAG front when on Jimmy's arm.

It had been exhausting, and after that weekend she preferred to spend time with Cindy at home, while keeping her travels for WAG duties separate.

Not that they'd been able to afford travel. She'd been so busy saving every cent for the future she'd never contemplated wasting money on an overseas trip.

‘Wade's a good guy. He likes you.' Cindy smirked. ‘I think you like him too.'

Liza sighed. If only it was as simple as that.

‘London's a long way away, sweetie—'

‘That's what planes are for, dummy.' Cindy elbowed her. ‘You should buy tickets. We should go.'

Reeling from Cindy's suggestion, Liza nudged the popcorn bowl closer and gestured at the TV, grateful when Cindy became absorbed in the movie again.

She needed to think. Not that she'd contemplate flying to London for a vacation, not after she'd worked so hard to replace part of her nest egg for Cindy, but hearing Cindy's request opened her eyes in a way she'd never anticipated.

Had she been so focused on providing financial security she'd lost sight of the bigger picture? That in an effort to protect her sister she'd actually been stifling her?

Wade had accused her of not giving Cindy a choice when he'd made his offer and it irked at the time because deep down she knew she was overprotective when it came to her sister. She'd justified it for years because Cindy had been nine when Liza became her legal guardian and she'd had to make the tough decisions.

Everything she'd done had been for Cindy but in focussing on making life easier for her sister, had she robbed Cindy of a chance to build resilience? To embrace independence? To learn from her mistakes?

Guilt blossomed in her chest and she absent-mindedly rubbed it, wishing she could ease the continual ache in her heart. But since Wade had driven away last night, the pain had lingered, intensified, until she accepted it as a permanent fixture. Niggling, annoying, there until she got over him. Whenever that was.

Cindy laughed at the ogre's antics while Liza contemplated the disservice she'd been doing her sister. All these years she'd assumed Cindy had been content. But by her excitement in proposing a London trip, maybe Cindy craved adventure? Maybe she felt as if she was missing out somehow?

In building a secure life, had Liza transferred her fear of abandonment onto Cindy, ensuring her sister felt cloistered rather than free to grow?

But Liza couldn't move to London with Wade. It wasn't feasible or practical. Then again, hadn't she lived a practical life the last decade? Faking smiles for the cameras, dressed in uncomfortable designer gear for events, pretending to like her date when she couldn't wait to get home at the end of a long awards night.

She'd built her entire reputation on a mirage, on a woman who didn't exist, to the point she hardly knew the real her anymore.

Yet Wade had taken a chance on her anyway.

He'd trusted her enough, loved her enough, to offer her a new life and had included her sister in it.

What kind of guy did that?

An honourable, understanding, caring guy. A guy who wasn't afraid of taking chances. Who wasn't afraid of letting people into his life.

Liza didn't like risks. Losing her folks and losing her savings had ensured that. And if she couldn't take risks with her life, no way would she take risks with Cindy's.

Which brought her right back to the beginning of her dilemma.

She loved Wade. The only guy she'd ever truly loved. But she'd let him go because she was too scared to take a risk, too scared he'd eventually walk away from her.

‘You're missing the best bit,' Cindy said, grabbing a biscuit and offering her the last one in the pack.

‘It's all yours,' Liza said, draping a hand across her sister's shoulder and squeezing tight.

Everything she did was for this incredible girl by her side, and she'd have to keep remembering that over the next few months while her shattered heart took an eternity to mend.

Liza would like nothing better than to take a chance on Wade.

But as Cindy snuggled into her side, Liza knew some risks were too big to take.