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"Don't bother denying it."
"Oh I wasn't gonna deny it," I said simply. "I haven't liked you since you tried to bribe me to get me away from your son."
She licked her lips. "Fair enough. I know the things I did to you, to Jacob, are enough to damn me. And what I'm about to share with you is cliché, but it's the truth."
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious. I crossed my arms, waiting.
"When I felt the first chest pain then it multiplied until I was somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness, I saw my life flash before my eyes."
Oh geez.
I won't bore you with my childhood or Carlton," she continued. "There was Jacob, only a few moments old, pure and screeching in my arms. He was such a beautiful baby. And I could see how much he loved me. Me--with all my faults. Me that needed someone that cared so badly." Her eyes were filled with tears and one dashed down her cheek. "I remembered everything I missed, every time I hurt him and that was the biggest regret of my life. And you are my second."
I froze, sure I'd misheard her. "What?"
“When I first heard about you, learned how in love Jacob was with this feisty young woman, I knew that being there for the two of you was my second chance. At that point, Jacob and I hadn't talked for nearly three years and the fact that he wanted me to meet you was an olive branch I didn't deserve.
I won't go into the same spiel about how I thought I was protecting him, because there's no excuse for things I've said and done to you. But I don't want that to be our story, Leila. I want to be more than your in-law. I want to be your friend. I want to give you the best damn wedding this world has ever seen."
My chin trembled and I bit my lip, nervous and apprehensive and another emotion I wasn't ready to attribute to her. Optimistic. Hopeful.
I still didn't want to do a monstrosity of a wedding, but she'd just told me her life flashed before her eyes and she realized she wanted a better relationship with me. With Jacob. Despite all the things she’d done, it counted for something.
She was looking at me.
Vulnerable.
Waiting.
I flashed her a smile. "You get some rest, okay?"
I left the room, seeing Jacob standing over near the window. He turned, like he could sense me. I rushed into his arms, not sure if I was ready to trust her, but knowing I could trust his arms.
"I take it she told you how her life flashed before her eyes and she saw the error of her ways." He stroked my back, knowing just where to touch me to help me relax."I want to believe this time is different, but I've been burned by her before."
I knew he was waiting for an answer from me, but I didn't have one. I wasn't sure if her near death experience meant she changed or should get a pardon or even deserved one.
"Just hold me," I sighed.
"That I can do." He pressed his lips against my forehead and started to pull me in before he stopped. "I forgot to ask you last night because we were...indisposed, but you told me you wanted to talk about the wedding?"
I looked up into his eyes, the same shape as his mother's. I want to give you the best damn wedding this world has ever seen.
"It wasn't important," I lied. He brought me back in without another word. Without catching the lie at all.
Maybe I was a better actress than I thought.
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