Page 98 of Time To Live Again

I release a big breath of air and fist my hair. “Why didn’t you say anything when you met Leo? Couldn’t you have picked another day? You knew his cousin’s memorial was today. Or was it your intention all along to cause problems between Leo and me?”

“I thought keeping you away from him would conceal the truth. I was afraid of what you’d think of me if you found out. My worry turned to anger because my past was catching up with me and I took it out on you. Then you told me you wanted to move. Something had to be done. After Andy showed up, I told him everything. When I mentioned coming here, he tried to convince me to stay put, but I refused.”

Andy spreads his hands in a gesture of helplessness. He blew off the bachelor party he was supposed to go to for this shit show. I owe him big-time.

Mom sniffles. “I’ve acted horribly for months and said despicable things to you, and Leo too. Neither of you deserved my wrath. I’m embarrassed and truly sorry for everything. I hope you can forgive me. I promise I’ll apologize for coming here today, and I’ll make things better for all of us.”

“Good, because I’m not going to lose him due to the decisions you made all those years ago. You and Marla can fight like cats and dogs, and it won’t matter. I willalwayschoose Leo. He’s my future and who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“And I’ll always choose you too.” My favorite voice. I spin around as Leo comes up to me, his arms open wide. Without hesitation, I wrap myself around him because it’s myfavorite place to be.

44

LEO

We’re all quiet until Olive and her family slip out the kitchen door. I don’t know what to say or where to begin anyway. Wait, that’s not correct. I roll my head between my shoulders, then turn to my mother.

“All this time, you knew who Olive was. I should’ve known something was up with your constant interrogations. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Every day I was ready to tell you, but I always chickened out. Why would I take away your happiness when you finally found it again with Olive?”

“The first night you met her, you said you had mustard in your eye and that’s why your eyes were watering. That wasn’t true, was it?” I ask.

Mom looks away. “When I realized who she was and she told us that her father had recently passed, it broke my heart. I couldn’t hold back my reaction.”

“So let me guess—Uncle Mason and Aunt Betty know too?”

“I told them right after you accepted the manager position and confirmed things were serious between you and Olive.”

I bite my lower lip and take a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger. “Thanks for making us look like complete idiots in front of everyone because a guy broke your heart over three decades ago.”

“Seriously, Mom,” Tonya blurts. “You fooled all of us. And are you still in love with Olive’s father?”

“Not at all. Pierce was a big part of my life, and we had a good time together. And he was a good man, despite the fact he broke my heart. I couldn’t admit that at first. After a while, I knew I was better off, but I was still bitter and too proud. Anyway, that night, all those emotions and memories flooded back, and I had to leave the room. And then it got me thinking about whenyourdad died. It was far too much for me.”

“You were hugging Olive’s mom when we got here. Does that mean you forgive her?” Sully pipes in.

“I don’t know. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since Olive came here. Leo, in some ways, we have something in common. We’ve both lost our best friends.”

I snap my head back. “Are you kidding me? How is that the same damn thing? Evelyn is alive. You might have things in common with Sully—” I stop. No need to go there.

“No, I know it’s not the same thing. Far from it. But let me explain myself. You lost your best friend, and there’s no chance to get him back. I lost Evelyn, not because she died, but because of a man who wasn’t meant for me. It didn’t matter how angry I was, I still missed my friend, every day.

“The difference between our situations is that now I have the chance to see my friend again. Maybe we can mend what was broken. I can thank her, too, because without her, I wouldn’t have met your dad or had my kids.

“This is how it was meant to be. Like you and Olive are.” Mom stands and takes my hands. “Do you realize how incredible it is, despite everything, that Evelyn’s daughter showed up at this hotel and you two fell in love? How can I ignore that? Maybe time does heal all wounds.”

Sully snorts. “So in thirty to forty years, I should forgive my asshole ex-best friend and ex-fiancée too? I can tell you right now that’ll never happen. Fuck them.”

“Sully—” Mom reaches for him, but he weaves around us and leaves the room.

“I’ll go talk to him,” Tonya offers. “It’ll give you some time alone.” She squeezes my hand, then goes off.

Mom plops back down onto the recliner and puts her head in her hands. “How did this become such a mess?”

“Don’t get too comfortable. It’s time to find Olive and Evelyn, and we’re going to talk it out. Whatever happens between you two, it’s not going to come between Olive and me. This is whenI’llbe selfish.”

Mom nods and stands. I motion for her to lead the way. We put on our shoes and jackets and head to the kitchen to see if they’re outside. Tonya points to the kitchen window, then leaves with Sully following her.

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