Page 93 of Someone You Deserve

The smile that spreads across her lips is one of pure joy. “There. Now was that so hard to tell your mother?”

“Mom…”

“Astrid,” she counters. “You and Penn…God, I couldn’t ask for a better man for you. Honestly, I figured you two were already more than friends.”

“Not until a few weeks ago,” I admit on a whisper, staring down at the ground now.

My mother’s brows draw together. “What’s wrong?”

“Can’t you see how messed up this is?” I ask.

“How? All I know is that my daughter deserves love. She deserves a man that knows her worth. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s the only thing that matters.”

“It’s just a lot. My life is complicated enough…”

She shakes her head, making me stumble on my words. “No, honey. It’s not.” She lets out a loud sigh. “Maybe I raised you to be too independent because that’s all I knew. Maybe losing Brandon has forced you to put up some walls. But you have to find the balance between vulnerability and strength, Astrid. It’s okay to be strong, to know that you can stand on your own two feet if need be. But it’s also okay to want someone in your life again. And Penn allows you to do that, sweetie—to be both of those people. You’re always softer around him.”

“He makes me feel things I never did with Brandon,” I admit.

“And that’s okay too. You shouldn’t compare them, honey.”

“But how can I not?”

“I guess in a way it’s natural because Brandon is the only other man you’ve been with.” She tilts her head in thought. “But you and I both know that your relationship with him was over long before he died. Give yourself a chance to get it right this time with Penn. Take that weekend, build a foundation for a relationship, and jump in with both feet.”

“You’re pretty good with the dating advice, Mom,” I tease her. “Why have you never tried putting yourself out there again after Dad left, then?”

“I did, but I never found someone good enough to introduce you and Grady to. That was my concern.”

I instantly think of the relationship Penn has with my children. “The kids love Penn.”

She winks at me. “I know. I guess the question is then…do you love him too?”

Do I love Penn? I guess in a way I always have, but this type of love is different. The type of love she’s referring to is the kind that could end in heartbreak.

“Now, I hate to push this further, but I have one more question,” my mother continues.

“Okay…”

“Does Grady know about you two?”

Oh God. My brother. How could I have not considered his feelings on the matter? I’ve been so consumed with my turmoil over Penn’s relationship with Brandon that I forgot about his friendship with my overprotective brother.

My mind is just a mess.

“He does not, but Penn and I should talk about when and how to tell him.”

She nods. “I agree. I think him hearing it from the two of you will be best, although I honestly don’t see him having a problem with it.”

“I hope not.”

Once my kids return with their things, they say their final goodbyes to my mom and then we head home to relax, do laundry and get ready for the week ahead. I can only hope that it goes by quickly because my time away with Penn has me excited for what we can explore together, but also nervous that what we have to discuss could end our relationship before it ever gets started.

Chapter fifteen

Penn

“Please tell me my lunch is ready,” I say as I walk into Catch & Release, wiping the dirt from my face with my forearm. It’s Thursday, and once I’m done with lunch I’ll only have a few more hours until I’m free for my weekend with Astrid.

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