Page 115 of You Found Me
Emmaline
I knew there was a chance my parents would be here after the ceremony. I mean, it’s been our thing for as long as I can remember. But for Mom to have ordered my usual treat, even in the midst of our fight, makes me feel like crying.
Rather than start off the conversation about our issues, I blurt out, “Spence, told me he loved me this weekend.”
She gasps, pulling me into another hug. “Sweetie, that’s amazing. What did you say?”
I shush her, and pull her outside. “He told me I didn’t have to respond and then he professedmorefeelings.”
“Okay . . . what do you think about that? Did you want to say it back?”
Unbidden tears start to slip. “I’m scared.”
“Why? He seems like a great guy. Much better than that little shit, Chance.”
Snorting, I shake my head. “He is better than Chance. There’s no doubt about it. It’s just that, what if I let myself fall for him and I get hurt again. I don’t want to choose to be open to loving someone, only to be discarded again. I can’t go on feeling like I’m not the first choice. I can’t. I’ve been living with this feeling for most of my life . . . and I think it all started when you told me my bio dad left us when you told him about your pregnancy.”
She starts to interrupt me, but I put up a hand to stop her. “I’m not saying that to make you feel worse. I’m sure you did what you thought was right in that moment. I don’t know what I’d have done in your situation either. But I understand. You did what you had to do to make things not so shitty for us and I can respect that. I want you to know how grateful I am to have you as my mom.”
She sniffles. “First, let’s put an end to our fight. I can’t begin to explain just how sorry I am for lying to you—and your dad—all these years. I was hurt when Rick left me, but I should’ve been honest with you. Especially after my parents passed and keeping up the lie became unnecessary, but I couldn’t let it go. I hope you can forgive me and will allow me to help you contact Rick if and when you decide. Second, there’s never a promise that loving someone won’t end up hurting you, love isn’t easy. It’s something you and your partner have to put effort into each day if you want it to work. You put more into your relationship with Chance than he ever put into it and eventually that took its toll, on your relationship and your confidence. The way Spencer looks at you is something I never saw with Chance. If Spencer said he didn’t expect you to say it back, I think he meant it. I’m always here to talk through any of it, but since you live with Mia, I figure she’ll pull it out from you eventually.”
Wiping my eyes, I nod. “Thank you. I know I can talk to you about anything, but as little as you saw me in the last six and a half years, the girls saw me even less. I’ve been working on being a better friend—even though none of them fault me for it all.”
“Those girls love you no matter what. You’re lucky to have such close friends.”
I nod, wipe my tears away, and clear my throat, “Fighting with you is not something I want to do ever again. So, if there’s any more huge secrets about our family, please tell me now. I don’t know how many more surprises I can take.”
Mom laughs before shaking her head. “Nope. No more secrets.”
“Thank god,” I laugh out, then look through the diner window at Spencer and Dad. “Let’s head back in before my fries and shake switch temperatures.”
As we make our way over to them, my dad is looking at Spence with a curious gleam in his eyes, and I wonder what he’s up to.
“A little ways off from what?” I ask as we catch the tail end of their conversation.
“Oh nothing,” Spencer clears his throat. He then leans into whisper, “Is everything okay with you two?”
I smile, grab a fry and dip it in my shake. “We’re great.”
Chapter 35
Spencer
Tuesday rolls around quicker than I want it to.
I left home early enough so I could grab a quick lunch with my parents before going to my staff meeting. If I came to town without seeing my mom, there’d be hell to pay.For months and months.Plus, I still feel a bit guilty for dodging her calls after she tried setting me up with Shiloh.
After placing our orders at the little beachside cafe, Mom brings up Christmas. “I know you made Thanksgiving work with us and her family gathering, so I was wondering if that was the same plan?”
“I haven’t thought to ask her about it. Christmas is her favorite holiday, and I know they have a lot of traditions they do, where we don’t.”
“What if we came and stayed at the Wildflower Inn? That way you wouldn’t have to worry about all that traveling.”
“That wouldn’t be an issue for you two? And what about B?”
I watch as she tries to coyly slap Dad’s leg underneath the table, seeming to forget it’s a glass top table. “Oh, um . . . no issue at all, sport.”
“See, no worries. I doubt Beckett will have an objection. He talks nonstop about that town and your friends. You let me worry about him.”
