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“Those two are so stubborn. I think Talon would have stayed with her. He was gone for that girl, and maybe it was a first love that would have lasted. When things end prematurely, I think you always wonder what if.”
“It sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
“You know your father and I were high school sweethearts. He was my first boyfriend. There was no big breakup. We were strong and steady from the beginning.”
“Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever find something like that.”
She patted my shoulder. “You can’t find what you aren’t looking for. You need to open yourself up to the possibility.”
I wondered if that’s what I was doing with Sarah, opening myself up without the risk of getting hurt. If I kept it on a friendly level, then I wasn’t truly giving us a chance.
“You’re spending a lot of time with that single mother and her little girl, aren’t you? Sebastian said you all went out to dinner after Ember’s play the other night.”
“Ember and her daughter, Addy, are friends.”
“Is there anything there?” Mom asked.
“I said we were friends.”
Mom’s expression turned thoughtful. “Is that what you want to be?”
“I know I’m not ready for anything else.”
“Is that true, or is it what you’ve been telling yourself for so long that you don’t even know what you want anymore?”
I laughed without any humor. “Probably the latter. I’ve been closed off to the possibility of finding anyone for so long, I feel stuck. But when I’m with her, everything makes sense.”
“Stop blocking what could be by telling her you want to be friends. Be honest with her and yourself about your feelings. Then see where it goes.”
The thought was scary. Could I tell Sarah I was interested in her as more than friends? Is that what she wanted? I thought back to our interactions. They were easy and natural. Maybe that’s how a relationship was supposed to feel.
“Sebastian invited her to decorate the tree with us this year. The one we do outside.”
Mom smiled. “Let’s do it on Sunday. We’re not open as late in the evening. It would be perfect for the girls.”
“I’ll tell Sarah.”
Mom grinned. “If she’s going to date you, she’ll need to see what we’re like.”
“We’re too much for most people, I think.” Emmett’s former fiancée said she didn’t like the farm, but I wondered if we were part of the equation.
“It would be better to figure that out sooner rather than later.”
“True.” Maybe Mom was right. I just needed to remember how I felt when I was with Sarah. Whenever we spent time together, I felt good. Relaxed and happy. Content even. I wanted to show her and Addy a good time. “That’s a great idea. Thanks for the advice.”
“Sometimes I lead people in the right direction.”
I raised a brow. “But not all the time?”
“I’ve never been able to guide Talon. He’s stubborn. Doesn’t talk to anyone.”
“He doesn’t talk to us either, but then none of my brothers talk about their feelings.”
“It wasn’t easy raising five boys, but I think you turned out okay. A little closed off with your feelings, grumpy around people, but you’re kind to others. That’s all I can ask for.”
“Surely, you’re talking about Emmett being grumpy?” I teased just as Emmett approached us with a scowl on his face.
“Just because I don’t like crowds—”
