“Yeah, but I have no idea where.”
She gives me a pointed look. “This is Hollybrook. People here can’t keep a secret for ten minutes. How hard can it be to track down two Valkyrie old women dressed like they raided a thrift store and wore everything out, and a gorgeous younger woman with them.”
I consider it, but it doesn’t take long. “We’ll have to get Mom in on it.”
“Well, duh!” she says like I’m an idiot. “You know she’ll be all over this.”
“Yeah.” But suddenly, doubt creeps in. This is what I want—but what about what Finley wants? Here in Hollybrook, being with her feels easy, natural. But what happens when we get back to Atlanta?
My professional life is chaos and will be for few months. I try picturing her at a business dinner with investors’ wives, and the image falls apart. She wouldn’t belong there—not because she isn’t educated or sophisticated enough, but because she’s too damn genuine. Too real. She’s above all the pretense and posturing.
The thing is, I’ve dated polished, sophisticated women. None of them have made me feel half of what I feel for Finley.
But what does that mean for us? How would she fit into my world? And more terrifying—how would I fit into hers? She barely has any time to breathe. Would she want to spend it on me?
“What happened?” Mallory asks, studying me. “Where’d you just go?”
“This is what I want,” I admit. “But is it what’s best for Finley?”
Her glare could cut steel. “She’s a grown woman, Alex. Maybe let her decide what’s best for her instead of deciding for her.”
I give her a self-deprecating smile. “Yeah, I guess I deserve that.”
“Damn right,” she says with a laugh. “Now, how about we find Mom before she drinks all the wine in the house? She’s got at least five bottles in the basement fridge, so you’ll be saving her from herself.”
“Okay,” I say, my chest tightening with equal parts excitement and terror. But another thought hits me—one that makes cold sweat prickle down my spine “But if I’m doing this…really doing it…I need to come clean. About everything.”
Her smile quickly fades. “Grant’s gonna lose his mind. And Tyler…”
I shrug, forcing a rueful smile. “I know. But if Finley gives me a chance, I don’t want any more lies.”
Her worry lingers, but she finally nods. “Okay. Then let’s go get everyone.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Alex
Five minutes later, we’re gathered around the kitchen table. Mom’s topping off her wine glass from a half-empty bottle, and Dad’s nursing another cup of coffee. Tyler looks bored and Grant won’t meet my eyes.
“Thanks for agreeing to sit in on this,” I begin, my voice rougher than I intend. I’m at the head of the table, flanked by Mom and Mallory. “I have a few things I need to tell you, but I think I’ll start with the biggest—why I’ve stayed away for so long. Why I’ve been ashamed to face you.”
“Oh, Alex.” Mom clasps my hand, her voice breaking. “What are you talking about?”
I look down the table at Dad. His expression is grim, but he nods.
It’s time.
My throat is as dry as sandpaper. “Six years ago, my senior year of college, I went to a party with my girlfriend, Deidre. We’d both been drinking, but I was wasted—celebrating passing my fall midterms. When it was time to leave, she drove. We’d taken her car anyway, since I’d planned to party. And even though part of me knew she wasn’t safe to drive, I was too drunk to stop her.” My mouth twists into a grimace. “The fact is, she got behind the wheel, and she never should have.”
My chest squeezes so tight I can barely breath. Every instinct tells me to shut up, but I force the words out.
Dad’s voice cuts in, strong and steady. “It’s okay, Alex. You’re right. Telling them is long past due. Go on.”
Mom jerks her gaze to him. “Bob, you knew?”
Dad gives a slow nod. The guilt slices deeper. I should have thought about how coming clean would drag him into this too. Will Mom resent him for keeping my secret? Will this blow up my family the same way I blew up everything else? Maybe I really am a narcissist who ruins everything he touches.
But Dad must see the panic on my face, because he says firmly, “It’s okay, Alex. Secrets fester inside us, and this one is eating you alive. It’s time we both let it go.”
