Page 62 of Everything I Crave

I peek around the corner to see Scott holding Mom close.

“Never. Go have fun.” He places a kiss on her forehead and she runs upstairs presumably to get ready.

I take a step into the living room to talk to Scott while Mom gets ready to go.

“Hey Willow, it’s nice to see you today,” he greets me.

“Scott, I’m really sorry for how I acted when I first came home. I had a lot of crap going on and I guess I didn’t know how to deal with it.” I stand in front of him, waiting for his response. He loves Mom so much, I’m ready for him to give me a piece of his mind.

“None of us do, Willow. I’m just glad you are repairing your relationship with her. She told me a cliff’s note version that she thought you would be okay with after your emergency girl’s day. I’m so sorry you are dealing with all of that, and that you felt you had no support.”

I am taken back by his kindness. “I. . . uh. . . thank you. It was stupid. Mom would support me no matter what, and I should have trusted her.”

He only nods in response.

Scott is a quiet guy like Gunnar, I’m learning. He offers silent support unless otherwise asked. Something I think compliments my personality well with Gunnar. It’s the thing I love most about him.

Shit. Love? Do I love him?

I don’t get long to contemplate in my own head before Mom is down the stairs and ready to go.

“Let’s go, baby girl!” she says, opening the door.

She hops in the passenger side of my car, which is shocking to me. She’s a little bit of a control freak and has never let any of us drive.

“Wow. You’re letting me drive?” I ask.

“Someone told me I should give up a little control and trust that my girls can handle their own life.” She winks at me and leans her head toward the house.

Sounds like Scott has figured out how to handle Mom, and they compliment each other as well as Gunnar and I.

There’s that thought again.

I put on a smile and put the car in reverse, leaving the driveway and heading toward the highway to take us to the city for our spa day.

Mom and I are sitting getting our pedicures after our massages, which were amazing. I could feel the tension leaving every inch of my body after a ninety minute deep tissue massage. Maybe I should get one every week.

For that to happen, Lacey would have to hire a massage therapist at her salon. I know she’s talked about adding other services. Maybe I should push her to do that now.

Lace used to own a huge salon with every service imaginable in Portland, Maine. But when she moved to Lupine Valley after her divorce, she’s a one woman show. But she started an apprenticeprogram with the high school so anyone interested in learning the business can go work with her during school hours, and it’s been going really well. Maybe one of them will do a massage service.

“So, are you going to tell me about Gunnar? I tried to wait for you to bring him up, but there is only so much I can change about myself,” she giggles.

“I think I love him,” I blurt out. Apparently my subconscious has been waiting for her to ask too.

“Woah. Really?” Her jaw drops. “I don’t mean that like it sounded. I’m just surprised! I’m happy for you, Gunnar is a great man. And he’s easy on the eyes.” She winks.

“Mom!” I laugh, I can’t believe she said that. Scarlett, Lacey, and Addy said she’d gotten a little brazen in her older age.

“What? I’m old, not dead. And have you seen Scott? I think I have good taste.” She shrugs, and the nail technicians laugh at her joke.

I’ll give her that, if I had daddy issues, I’d probably go after a guy like Scott.

Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, I kind of did. Gunnar and Scott both have beards trimmed short and neat. Lumberjack small town vibes. Easy, quiet support, but still fun and sarcastic to hang with.

“Okay, I’ll give you that.” I laugh.

“Why do you onlythinkyou love him?” She reaches over and places her hand on top of mine.

---