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“But say you’re forced to hurt someone you love. Does the guilt ever go away?”
“Yes, no,” she says faintly, falling into a digestive silence. “Fate always finds its way. Though, it’s not so much guilt but regret. It’s easy to look back and think if only I did this or that.”
“Like with you and Uncle Julian?” I ask, barely above a whisper in case Dad walks in.
“Julian is where he is meant to be.” Mom smiles then rests her hand on top of mine. “But I should have treated him respectfully. Ended things when I knew it wasn’t right.”
“You mean when Dad walked back into your life and claimed you to be his?”
Mom laughs softly. “Yes, your alpha male of a father was a force to be reckoned with.”
“What do you mean was? He still is,” I muse.
“Lex Edwards is protective over all the women in his life. It’s one of the many reasons why I love him.”
I knock into Mom’s side playfully. “Look at you, all in love.”
“It’ll be you one day, Addison.”
My smile dissipates at Mom’s comments. There’s no more one day. It’s too late—I’m in love with a man so unattainable. Correction, attainable if I hurt my best friend.
“Mom …” I begin with, wringing my hands nervously. “There’s someone else.”
Her chocolate brown eyes light up. “Oh, I see. Do I know the person?”
I nod silently, trying to find the courage to admit the truth. “Yes, you’re very acquainted with him.”
Moms press their lips together, keeping quiet.
“And this is serious?”
“I don’t know. I’m still trying to process it.” I lower my gaze then lift my head back up to face her. “It’s Masen.”
Beside me, Mom’s lips part, but she tries to hide her surprise. Mom has an excellent poker face given her career choice, so this transient expression is a surprise to me.
“This makes more sense now. You’re caught between two brothers,” she reiterates, though without judgment. “I understand now why you’re trying to process it all.”
In front of me sit’s three glass jars. Mom is anal about the cookies inside the jar being stacked perfectly. I open one and retrieve a choc chip cookie.
“Mom, do you mind if I stay here for a few days? I’m flying to New York for Jessa’s dinner. Andy texted me, but I forgot to respond to tell him I’m going. I might fly out early, though, spend an extra day in the city.”
Mom places her arm around me, kissing my cheek. It’s times like this I miss being here and having her around.
“You never have to ask. This will always be your home.”
“But what about Dad?”
“Don’t worry about him, okay? I’ll take care of him.”
I lean into her embrace, then bite into my cookie.
“So this whole love thing … worth it?”
Mom squeezes me tighter. “If it’s the right man, it’s worth every moment. I promise you that.”
Nineteen
Masen
