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Instead, I must turn into the woman who can convince my parents to let me marry Matthew so I can secure my trust.
Nothing else is important.
Lolita notices me glancing around, my abandoned basket on the blanket in front of me. She smiles and gives me a soft wave.
Is that sympathy? Pity?
“Where’s your other half, dear?” Lolita stands over me and swipes at the curly pixie cut across her forehead. Kindness, not scrutiny, fills her brown eyes. It calms the worry strumming through my chest.
“Oh, um, he wanted to take some time off today,” I explain.
“Ah, yes, that makes sense. Mrs. Greene’s agenda is rather detailed.” She gives me a soft grin, and it feels like we’re on the same side for once. Are we? “But why aren’t you with him?”
The question stings.
“Well, we had this activity planned today,” I say.
“Oh, dear, it’s fine for both of you to do something else. I understand that your mother has given you a lot to accomplish, but between you and me, I believe it’s important to take some time and discover your own interests here.”
Seriously?I could be getting a massage with Matthew. No cameras. No mandatory activities. Not miserably panicking about my mother’s impossible demands.
My breathing halts. Did my mother jam-pack our days because she knew it would cause friction between us? Was that her plan all along?
Irritation snakes through me.
Of course my mother’s goal was to get me to fight with Matthew. I played right into her hands. I can’t keep running anytime life gets hard. I need to find Matthew and apologize, or I may as well give up and marry Lance.
Not an option.
But how do I even begin to address this with Matthew? Are we already doomed?
A question perches on my lips. “Lolita, is it normal to have disagreements?”
She kneels down and places a hand on my shoulder. “Of course, Molly. Falling in love is easy. But we’re all individuals with different interests, schedules, and backgrounds. Discovering your partner is the most beautiful part of staying in love. Disagreements are inevitable, but it’s how we handle them that strengthens our bond. Communicating vulnerably isn’t instinctive. We must learn that, together.” She gives my shoulder a soft squeeze.
“Thank you, that helps a lot,” I say. I handled Matthew’s and my argument the way I’ve handled every sparring match with my mother: I panicked. I ran.
Embarrassment flushes my cheeks.
Matthew’s demeanor during the argument was calm and logical. He’s the only person who’s seen this vulnerable side of me. The side that doesn’t know how to make someone happy.
It’s frightening.
As if Lolita can read my mind, she says, “I see you two together. Your energies, they complement each other. Where you sparkle, he is fire on the hearth. Give yourself grace. Love comes with growing pains.” She nods and walks away.
I need to find Matthew and apologize. I owe it to myself, and to him, to fix this.
I can’t afford to push him away.
Chapter11
Matthew
I can’t believeshe ran off.
Our arrangement won’t work if we can’t talk things out. If we aren’t on the same team.
The afternoon sun peeks over a stucco wall as I wait for the masseuse to arrive for the couples massage I booked. No point in letting the session go to waste.
