Gianna walked over and eased in next to Ramsey on the narrow stair. “He could never hate you. You know that.”
She leaned her head on her mom’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for the things I said to you. I was way out of line.”
“Apology accepted.” Gianna had always taught her daughters to forgive and forget. Now she had to be willing to do the same. “But I don’t really blame you for calling me out the way you did… about spending your dad’s money. I’m sure that’s the way it must have looked to you.”
Gianna had never been one to spend an excessive amount of money on designer clothes and shoes. Those things simply didn’t give her pleasure. But she had enjoyed the nice vacations and the beach house where they’d spent their summers. She used to walk along the beach and collect shells for her collection. Gunnar used to smile indulgently when she came back with a pretty one, but it was a simple thing that made her happier than shopping on Rodeo Drive ever would.
“No, it didn’t.” She shook her head. “Not really. Compared to most of my friend’s moms, you lived like a pauper.”
Gianna laughed in spite of herself. “Excuse me?”
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” she said with a half-smile so much like Gunnar’s that Gianna’s chest tightened at the sight of it. “I just meant that you weren’t afraid to drop us off at school in sweats, while the other moms were decked out in full makeup, with their hair and nails done.”
“I guess they were.” Gianna never felt she’d fit in there, but she didn’t really care. She’d made a few friends who weren’t as shallow and materialistic as the others, and that was enough for her.
“And you didn’t make a career of shopping the way they did.” She rolled her eyes. “I think they just did that ’cause they were bored.” Looking thoughtful, she asked, “Is that why you got a job when we moved here, ’cause you were tired of being bored?”
“Honestly?” Gianna curled her arms around her legs, pulling them into her chest. “I think I was just ready to re-invent myself. I’d been living for other people for so long that I guess I forgot the simple little things that used to make me happy. I loved flowers.” She smiled. “In fact, I used to work in a flower shop when I was in high school. Did I ever tell you that?”
Ramsey shook her head. “You never talk a lot about what it was like for you growing up. Why is that?”
Gianna shrugged. “I guess I thought it would seem boring compared to the glamorous lives you guys were living. There wasn’t much to do where we lived. We went to school, played sports, worked part-time, hung out with friends. That’s about it.”
“So, like Vista Falls then?” Ramsey grinned when Gianna nudged her with her shoulder.
“Exactly like Vista Falls.” She sighed. “I wanted you guys to love it here, but it’s obvious you don’t.”
“We don’t hate it,” Ramsey said carefully. “Sure, it’s different from L.A., but we could probably get used to it.”
“You really think so?” Gianna asked, trying not to get her hopes up.
“You love it, don’t you?” Ramsey asked, avoiding the question. “Like, love-love it.”
“I do.” She bit her lip, weighing her words carefully. “But you guys deserve to be happy too, and if you’re not here, then maybe we need to find some sort of compromise.”
“But you hated Beverly Hills, Mom.”
She’d never said as much, but she’d never claimed to like it either. “I didn’t hate it. It just never felt like home to me. You guys grew up there, so it was the only place you’d ever known. It was different for me. I was like a fish out of water there.”
“So you wouldn’t think about going back?”
Going back to Beverly Hills wouldn’t be a compromise. It would mean her giving in. And Gunnar was right, that wasn’t fair. “Maybe we could find somewhere else to live in L.A.”
“With Dad?”
“I don’t know what your dad’s plans are,” she admitted. “I’m not even sure he knows. That’s what he’s trying to figure out.”
“So he’s not sure if he wants to be with us?” she asked, sounding annoyed.
“I didn’t say that. But he has a lot of things to figure out, with respect to his career and—”
“Why does it always come back to his career?” she asked, scowling. “Why can’t he put us first for once?”
“That’s not fair, Ramsey. Your dad loves you and he’s worked hard to give you an amazing life. If you knew the obstacles he’s had to overcome to get where he is, you might understand why he’s so reluctant to give it up.”
“Why do you always defend him and make excuses for him?”
“I don’t.” At least she didn’t think she did. “I’m just trying to make you understand where he’s coming from.”
