Page 38 of Embracing Us

“Please don’t do that. It’s much easier to pin you against the wall for a quicky if I can hitch your dress up easily.”

“You’re so fucking naughty,” I tell him, pretending to scowl but failing miserably. A grin bursts across my face.

“But you love it.”

“I do.”

“Are you practising what you have to say? I do.” I swipe at his cheek. Before I can say anything in response, a voice I didn’t expect to hear surprises me.

“Mum,” Marina says, her voice vibrating gently with nerves. I spin on my heel and find her standing on the pavement with a backpack over her shoulder. Her dark hair is tied up into a loose knot. She’s make-up-free and wearing a pair of denim shorts with a white cropped top. We stare at each other, the shock of her appearance leaving me wordless. Max’s hand touches the base of my spine in support, but he says nothing.

“Mum,” she says again. “I know you probably don’t want to talk to me. I came to apologise for my behaviour. I wanted to speak to you before you married him.”

“Marina, are you here to cause problems? Because whatever lies you’ve concocted now, I’m not interested.” My voice is sharp and direct, Max runs his fingers up and down my spine. “We are leaving now. You do pick the most inappropriate moments to appear.”

“When do you get back?” she asks.

“In three days. We can’t leave the hotel for long.” She steps forward and holds out her hands. They sit in the air between us, willing me to take them. My uncertainty about her reason for being here keeps mine firmly by my sides. Hers drop away sadly, and she glances to Max then at the ocean beyond.

“I’m sorry,” she says, not looking at us. The words sound honest but with Marina, I can never be sure. “I’m sorry for being horrible to both of you. I was jealous, and not because I fell in love with Max.” Her gaze returns to meet mine.

“You came here to tell me you love my fiancé?” I snap, furious she would do this here and now.

“No, well yes, but not him exactly.” The words tumble out rapidly, making no sense at all. Her hands ball into fists. She closes her eyes tight shut then reopens them and focuses on me. “I’m not in love with Max,” she says, firmly. “I’m in love with the idea of Max.”

“Marina, you’re making no sense,” I mutter, my patience wearing thin.

“Beautiful,” Max interrupts gently. “I’m going to go inside so you two can talk. Go take a walk if you need to. Leaving in another thirty minutes won’t be an issue.” He kisses my temple, then retrieves Jackson from the car. As he walks back towards the hotel, Crystal and Susan appear. Max herds everyone inside. Marina and I watch them go.

“Please stop speaking in riddles,” I say, annoyance lacing my tone. “If you’ve travelled all the way here to cause problems, turnaround and walk away.” Her eyes pop wide in surprise. “I love you, Marina, as my daughter. I always will. But,” I pause then take a deep breath to steady my nerves before the next words leave my lips. “I don’t like you. Your behaviour has been getting gradually worse. A spoiled twenty-something woman is not a situation I need to be dealing with. My life has changed drastically too.”

“I know,” she replies, quietly. Her eyes drop between her toes, as a pink flush coats her cheeks in embarrassment. “I was jealous because I want what you have.”

“Max?”

“No, the way he treats you. The way he looks at you. The obvious love you’ve both found. I want that with someone who feels the same way about me.” My heart aches for my daughter, standing in front of me, admitting her greatest desire. “I’m worried it will never happen, and I’ll continue to bounce from one terrible relationship to another.”

“Maybe you need to think outside the box?” I suggest and her face contorts in confusion. “What I mean is, sometimes what we think is right for us, isn’t. The person who seems the least likely soulmate, can be the one. Keep your eyes and heart open. He will appear when the time is right.”

“I am sorry, Mum,” she repeats. “I’ll understand if you never want to speak to me again. What I did in London, coming on to Max…”

“Your actions were brazen, and quite honestly, disgusting. But there was never a risk of him taking you up on the offer.” She baulks at my direct words; I respond with a shrug. “I’m pretty sure you knew that when you lay on the bed spreading your legs open.”

“Mum, I…” I hold my hands up to stop her from speaking.

“A few words aren’t going to fix this Marina. You’ve spent months being awkward, divisive and ignorant. My trust in you won’t return overnight.” A tear trickles down her cheek, but I soldier on with my honesty. “I want a relationship with my daughter. I want to fix this, but today is not the day it will happen. It will be a slow process.”

“I understand,” she replies, weakly.

“Now, I am leaving to get married. I will be back in three days. If you are still here, then we can talk some more. If not, we will talk on the phone.”

“I’ll still be here. I’ve booked a room at a hostel in Malaga for two weeks.”

“Okay.” Surprise at the fact she is planning to stay for a while clear in my tone. “We can catch up then.” I step forward and wrap my arms around her shoulders. “I know this wasn’t an easy apology to make,” I whisper into her ear. “I love you, Marina. Work with me to fix this, fix us. You have a new brother who would love to get to know you as he grows. Your whole life is ready to be lived. Take the first step.”

“I will, Mum,” she says with a sob. “I promise.” She holds on tight, starting to cry, her body expanding and contracting in my arms. “Go and get married. I am happy for you. Please believe that.” She wiggles from my embrace, wipes at her eyes with her fingers then walks away down the street back towards town.

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