Page 97 of Summer Love

On Friday night, I arrived early at my parents' house for dinner to talk to my mom alone. Elena was at the senior center for bingo night with Grams.

"How are things with you and Elena?" Mom asked as she cut veggies for the grill. Dad was out back seasoning the steak in the outdoor kitchen we'd built for them a few years ago as an anniversary present.

I'd talked to her and Dad about what was going on between me and Elena since I'd been tasked with ensuring the article was positive. "She's a little nervous about her job at the magazine."

Mom's brow furrowed. "I thought she said her boss was pleased with the end result."

"Valerie has the final say on layout and edits, and I don't think Elena will relax until she sees the published magazine. Plus, she hasn't given Elena another assignment yet."

"I'm sure it will be fine. I read what she'd written, and it was wonderful."

I let out a breath. "I hope you're right."

Mom patted my hand. "You picked a good one. I like her."

I let out a slow breath. "I told her I was in love with her."

Mom glanced up, surprise etched in her expression. "Are you serious?"

"When have I ever told you I was in love with a woman?" I asked, even as my heart beat wildly.

She set the knife aside. "Never."

"I'm serious about her. She's the one for me, but I don't know if she's going to be living here much longer."

"When you're in love, you make all kinds of sacrifices. I wanted to leave the island and travel, but in the end, your father was here and so was his business. For years, we were just trying to get it off the ground, and now we're so busy it's tough to take time to travel."

"We can handle the business so you can travel more." I wanted that for them, but it entrenched me further on the island, and I didn't know where Elena was headed next.

She gave me a look. "Your father has had a hard time giving up control."

"Don't I know it," I mumbled.

"If you love this woman, then you'll do whatever is necessary to keep her."

My brow furrowed. "Are you saying I should leave the business if she goes back to Boston?"

"You don't know what's going to happen yet, but I'd start to explore the idea in your head. What would it be like if she left? Would you be happy with a long-distance relationship? Would you eventually want more?"

We'd spent so much time together the last few weeks; I couldn't imagine not ending every day with her. I had visions of us renovating a house together or fixing up Grams's place, room by room. I just wanted to be with her. "I can't imagine her not being here."

Mom nodded. "I thought so."

"But moving? That's crazy. My job has always been with dad's business."

"You have six brothers who can pick up the slack?—"

"Marshall isn't here, and who would handle everything I do? Can you imagine Shep in charge?" I chuckled, but Mom didn't laugh with me. In fact, her lips were pressed into a tight line.

Mom braced her hands on the counter. "I love all of you equally. I don't love you more because you appear to be more responsible than your brothers."

"I know that." Where was this coming from?

Her forehead wrinkled. "I think Shep would rise to the occasion should you give him more responsibility."

"I'm not willing to risk that."

"Your father feels the same way, but I hoped that you would see his potential. He's crying out for some acknowledgement."

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