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“Thank you, but I can’t run in these heels.” I hug my dad harder than I’ve ever hugged him before.
“How are you doing, baby girl?” he asks into my ear. I shrug in response.
My mother looks as comfortable as I do. “Hello, sweetie.”
“Hi, Mom.” I latch onto her also, not wanting to let her go. “Thanks for coming. It means a lot to Sam.”
“Of course.” She wants to say so much more, but we all know these walls have ears tonight. My mother takes my hand, and I instantly feel better. Nothing can compare to a mother’s voice, well, my mother anyway because when we walk into the living room and see Kellie, we know she’s the exception to this rule.
“Maggie. Simon. It’s so lovely to see you again.” No, it really isn’t, but we all go along with the charade. My mom kisses Kellie’s cheeks while Greg shakes my dad’s hand. It’s all civil, but the undercurrent of tension still exists, and we can all feel it.
“Oh, hey,” Sam says, drinks in hand. “I didn’t hear the doorbell.”
“Let me help you.” I lunge for the wine glass, afraid he’ll drop it.
“Thanks. I’ll be so glad once this comes off.” He waves the cast in question.
“I’m impressed with how well you’re getting around.” A grin tugs at Sam’s lips. It takes me a moment, but when I realize what I just said, I quickly backtrack, my cheeks on fire. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t mean…”
“It’s fine. I know what you meant.” He rubs my arm reassuringly while I wish the floor would swallow me whole.
“Holy mother of god,” I whisper under my breath, downing the entire glass of wine. Kellie clucks her tongue, undoubtedly pissed off I just drank her wine. But she’d better get used to it because I don’t plan to share.
Sam passes his dad the beer then returns to the kitchen to hopefully bring back the bottle. Running a hand through my hair, I’m semi thankful my dad and Greg are making small talk. When I meet my mother’s stare, though, a shiver runs through me— the proverbial someone walked over your grave sort of feeling.
For once, I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I have a feeling I probably won’t like whatever she has to say. Tonight can go to hell.
Dinner smelled delicious—too bad my appetite went to shit before the main dish was served.
Everything was going fine until Kellie asked why we weren’t using the silverware set she’d given us for our engagement. She knew damn well why but wanted to see me squirm. Sam swooped in and saved the day, which I was most thankful for, but when that unidentifiable look once again passed over my mother’s face, I suddenly lost my appetite.
I’m desperate to ask her what’s going on, but we haven’t had a minute alone. I’m practically bouncing in my seat, waiting for Greg to finish his pork belly so I can excuse myself to make us some coffee. I plan to drag my mom into the kitchen with me.
The moment his fork hits the edge of the plate, I shoot upward and collect the dishes. “I’ll make coffee. Mom, can you give me a hand?” I look at her pointedly because this isn’t optional. She nods, gently dabbing at the corner of her mouth with her napkin.
“Here, let me help.” Sam goes to stand, but I quickly place my hand on his bicep, stopping him.
“No, it’s okay. Besides, four hands are better than three,” I tease, peering down at his cast. He chuckles and brushes my hand with his.
“Fair enough.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief, but that catches in my throat when I notice Kellie looking at our union with half a smile. TheGuinness Book of Recordsis sure to call me because I’ve just given my hand whiplash—a world’s first, I’m sure—when I remove it from Sam’s arm lightning quick. My exit is far from graceful, but I’ve accepted this night for the disaster it is.
Dumping the dishes into the sink, I brace my hands on the edge and sink low. When my mom enters, I expect her to talk, but she doesn’t, which makes me even more nervous. “What’s wrong?” I don’t see the point in sugarcoating anything.
“Lucy, honey…” Her footsteps sound lightly against the floor as she approaches where I still stand, stooped over the sink. “You do realize Samuel is still in love with you, don’t you?”
“What?” I feared she’d say that.
“It’s clear as day.”
Closing my eyes, I bow my head and sigh. “He’s notinlove with me. He loves me, and that’s normal. Our feelings just won’t disappear overnight.” Piper’s words of wisdom give me the strength I need.
“So you still love him?”
My heart begins a deafening rhythm. “I’ll always have…feelings for him, but I don’t love him like that anymore. I love Saxon.” When I muster enough bravery, I open my eyes and turn my cheek to face her.
There is no judgment, just how I knew there wouldn’t be. “I know you love Saxon, honey, but I think you’re fooling yourself if you don’t think you love Samuel as well.”
