Page 79 of Caught in the Middle

“Exactly. And she probably didn’t mean her insult either.” Aunt Mel let out a sigh. “Unfortunately, that’s just what we do when we’re mad and in pain. We twist the knife a little further, demanding they feel as much hurt as we’re suffering.” Her eyes held a far-off look that made Emma wonder if she wasn’t reflecting on some of her own experiences, if maybe Emma’s mom and aunt had their fair share of words and hate flung at each other. The thought made Emma wonder if her aunt ever regretted that they didn’t get to mend things before her mom left this world.

“You don’t have to do it today,” her aunt began saying, tearing Emma from her thoughts. “But when you decide those relationships mean more to you than your pride,” she gave her a pointed look. “And you feel ready, you should reach out and say your piece. But not until you can speak from your heart without needing them to return the apologies or sentiments. They may find themselves needing more time.” She shrugged. “Or maybe not, but you need to decide if and when you’re ready.”

Emma nodded, a slight weight lifting from her shoulders. Somehow, by being able to admit all of the horrible and shameful things she said and still be understood and shown love by someone she cared about, she felt a spark of hope, like maybe this dark road she created had light at the end of it after all.

“Now tell me, is this Cam worthy of you?”

Emma laughed, but her smile quickly faded. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Why not?”

“You heard what I did and said,” she replied. “I ripped the rug right out from under him after he’d gone along with my crazy plan, and I just fed him to the sharks.”

Aunt Mel scoffed. “I’d hardly call Henry a shark,” she balked.

Emma’s brow raised. “Have you met him?”

“Yeah, he’s a big ole teddy bear.”

Emma gave her a questionable look and shook her head in disagreement.

“Trust me, sweetie. You may know him as the big, bad, scary dad who’d destroy worlds to keep you three girls safe, but at the end of the day he just wants what’s best for the people he cares about like the rest of us.”

“He’s Cam’s boss, though.”

“You’ve already said that. But he’s also a reasonable man and it sounds like he might’ve gotten to know Cam this week, too. If you managed to fall for the man, and if you think he’s worthy of you, my bet is that Henry would have noticed that, too.”

Emma frowned, not buying the logic. “Either way, it’s over. I made that clear.”

“And why can’t you fix it?”

Emma looked down at one of the water stains on her table. “I don’t know if I could face him again,” she admitted. “I was cruel. So cruel. And I pretty much threw everything we’d built straight into the trash.”

Her aunt shook her head. “I can’t make you see things differently, but I think you should consider how he’s feeling in all of this too.”

“He hates me,” Emma quickly added.

“Doesn’t sound that way to me. Sounds like he was heartbroken, shocked, and rightfully angry. But it also sounds like he has a strong head on his shoulders and wanted to work through it with you. You don’t find partners like that every day.”

Emma swallowed the burning in the back of her throat, a sheen covering her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said.

Aunt Mel gave her a knowing look but didn’t push it. “So how about this here new gig? You didn’t sound all that excited about it.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “Oh, I am,” she assured. “It’s just that everything else has me weighed down I guess.”

“What makes you want to travel to Europe? I didn’t know you were interested in this field of work.”

Emma frowned as she pondered the question. “I mean, it’s a chance to see the world,” she offered.

Her aunt’s brow rose. “Can’t you see the world anytime you want? Europe is only a flight away. You just have to save up for it first,” she joked.

“Yeah, I guess so.” But she smiled at the humor. “I would see things no one else has access to.”

“Is that a big deal to you?”

Emma’s head went back. “Well, it’s pretty freaking amazing, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely,” her aunt agreed. “I’m not denying that or trying to talk you out of it. I’m just curious is all.”

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