Page 62 of Choosing You

“Hmm?”

“Come on,” she whined. “Just tell me what you meant by that.”

“Fine. You made a face when you complained about Will talking about cars and you used to do the same thing when your father and the boys would talk about cars.” She shook her head. “That’s Will’s career, Sloane. If you’re going to have a relationship with him, you’re going to have to learn to stop making faces when the subject comes up.”

“I did not used to make faces when Dad and the guys talked about cars,” she argued. “That’s not a thing.”

The look she was getting once again said otherwise.

“You were the youngest. The boys were always doing stuff with your dad while you and Hailey were home with me. And I’m telling you, every time the boys went to a car show, you were openly hostile about it.”

“No, I…” Pausing, she gasped, eyes going wide. “Oh my God…you’re right! It used to bother me that they would always go to the car shows and never included me!”

“Sloane, you were just a baby when they started going, and you never showed any interest in cars.”

“I know, but…he never did anything like that with me and Hailey! There was never any event that was just for us, you know? I used to hate how Finn, Ben, and Kyle had this thing that only they got to do with Dad, and…”

“And you didn’t. Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry that I didn’t put that together sooner. You have to understand, your father had no idea how to be a real girl dad. He just found it easier to relate to your brothers. I know that’s not a great excuse, but it’s the only way I can think to describe it.”

She honestly had no idea what to say to that.

“If I can give you a bit of motherly advice?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t let something that happened in your childhood—something like your dad not including you in something—affect your relationship with Will. No one says you have to become a car enthusiast, but…your issue is really with your father, not cars. Try to remember that.”

“Flight number 1982 with service to Fort Lauderdale will begin boarding shortly,” the announcement stated.

Giving Sloane’s hand another squeeze, her mother smiled at her. “Just something to think about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to run to the ladies’ room. I hate using the bathroom on the plane. Serious ick factor. I’ll be right back.”

Sloane nodded, hating how her mother had given her a lot to think about. Taking her phone from her purse, she wanted to make sure her mobile ticket was ready. When she looked at her phone, she noticed a couple of missed texts from Will.

Will: Hey, beautiful. Miss you already. Have a safe flight.

“Aww…” She wanted to hug him through the phone.

The next was a picture of a bottle of champagne.

Will: This is waiting here for when you come back. Just FYI.

She already imagined drinking it in bed with him.

Will: Hope your mom’s not making you too crazy. I know it’s going to be super late when you land in Florida, but please just text me when you land so I know you’re okay.

He really was one of the greatest guys she’d ever met.

She just hoped she didn’t end up breaking his heart.

Will played their entire long weekend over and over in his mind. It had felt like they were on some sort of vacation. Between the night at Summit Ridge, the gatherings at The Ridge, and the festival, they’d had such a great time. They ate out at almost every meal and at the end of each day, they spent the night making love.

Best vacation ever, he thought.

Although, that wasn’t quite right. The best vacation would probably be someplace tropical where they could listen to the waves crashing on the shore and not have to worry about anything for about a solid week. He could picture Sloane in a bathing suit on the sand—and without one—with the sun beating down on her and a smile on her face.

Yeah…that would be damn near perfect.

And he made a mental note to work on that and feel her out on where her dream vacation spot would be.

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