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“Bette. Her name is Bette. She was my teacher in high school, remember?”
Mom waves a hand dismissively. “There were so many teachers. I can’t remember all their names, darling.”
Keeping my new business a secret from my parents in our small town hasn’t been easy. I specifically asked Bette to keep my identity under wraps until the “t’s” were crossed and the “i’s” were dotted, giving me time to summon the courage to tell my parents.
I shake my head. “No. It’s a done deal. The contract is signed, the shop is leased, and I have a few weeks to prepare for the grand opening.”
“You can’t seriously expect to make a living selling jewelry in Garland. There’s no market for it here,” my mother says.
I clench my hands into fists. Once again, she’s made me feel like I don’t matter. I’ve spent my life trying to please my parents, and I’ve always come up short.
No. Not this time.
“I don’t believe that. I already have a successful online business, and there’s nothing else like it in Garland or surrounding towns. This isn’t some spur-of-the-moment decision. I’ve done my research and worked hard to make this a reality. All I’m asking is that you have a little faith in me.”
My mother sniffs. “You could have been married now if you’d stayed with James.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “James Alderman? Mother, I dated him in high school for all of two seconds.”
If she had her way, my mother would marry me off, have us join their country club, and pop out perfect little grandkids for her to parade around. She was more upset than I was when James dumped me right before graduation prom.
Her perfect vision of my life isn’t working out the way she planned.I’mnot working out the way she planned. Too much of a tomboy, too clumsy, too spontaneous, too unpredictable. Too much ofeverything.
And things only got worse after the accident …
Since then, I’ve tried twice as hard to be the daughter they want. I’ve tried to make my mother happy, but the life she envisions for me would make me wither up and die inside.
“He would’ve made a good husband and provider, unlike that boy you used to moon over.” Her lip curls in disgust as she says, “that boy.”
She means Bentley Cormack.
Callum’s best friend.
The guy I gave my heart to.
And the person she blames for the accident.
If only she knew …
“All I’m asking is that you withhold judgment until you’ve seen. Opening day is the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, and I’d love it if you could come.”
My father glances at my mother. “She’s our daughter, Megan. We should support her, regardless of whether we disagree with her choices.”
Mother sighs. “Perhaps.” Her eyes lift to mine. “We just wish you’d chosen differently with your career.”
Callum was destined for bigger things career-wise, so they pinned their hopes on me gaining my bachelor’s degree andslotting into the family business like the respectful, obedient daughter they always wanted. Guess I threw a wrench in that little plan.
“We love you, Gemma. Don’t ever doubt that,” my father adds with a reassuring smile.
Don’t ever doubt that.How can I not? Actions speak louder than words, and their actions have fallen far short over the years.
I’m pretty sure my mother would rather set fire to her eyelash extensions or trade their five-thousand square-foot house with its exquisite mountain view than come to the grand opening of my little store.
But I’ll take what I can get. They’re trying, which has to count for something.
“Have you gained more weight?” my mother asks, running her eyes over my abundant curves. “Didn’t you try that diet I sent you?”
“No, Mother. I’ve been too busy. Besides, I have no desire to starve myself—”
