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“Like you?”
“Yes, like me.” She laughs softly. “It takes courage to tell someone how you feel, no matter if you’ve known them for a week or a few years. But you can’t expect someone to know what you’re feeling. You have to show them.”
“I don’t know what to do.” Fresh tears run down my cheeks as I pull my knees into my chest and rest my back along the lower cabinets of the island. “Finn is everything I could have ever wanted in a man. He’s so smart. He works for NASA and could be with anyone in the world, but for some reason, he chose me.”
A smile creeps across my face as I continue to tell my mother all the wonderful things I’ve learned about Finn over the short time we’ve spent together, wanting her to know everything there is to know about the man who owns my heart.
“I could’ve told you that. Finn has been in love with you since you were children, but he was always too afraid to say anything.”
“You knew and didn’t tell me?”
My heart constricts at her words. Sutton always told me that he had a thing for me, but I blew her off, believing that if he had feelings for me, he would’ve said something to me. But back then, I couldn’t see anything past my feelings for Campbell.
“It wasn’t my place. You were so in love with Campbell, but then he broke your heart. After that you hid your heart away from everyone, even your father and me.”
“Campbell hurt me.”
“I know, but not every man will. You understand that, right?” she asks.
I nod, forgetting that she can’t see me, but she continues.
“You love Finn, right? And he treats you well?”
“Like I hung the moon.” My hand grips the phone tightly as I fight to keep control of my emotions. “He’s everything.”
Large, hiccupping breaths cause my body to tremble.
“Then what’s the problem?”
I freeze, not knowing exactly how to answer her question. It’s true that I’m irrevocably in love with Finn Buckley. Tears stream down my face as I gasp for breath. “But he left me. He didn’t call, text, or even send a smoke signal. I had to find out from someone else. And now he’s back and still hasn’t said a word. I pretty sure he wants nothing to do with me.”
“Do you know that for sure?” She laughs, “Or better yet do you know why he left in the first place?”
“Do you?”
“It’s not my place to say anything, but I always knew Finn would be back. And before you say anything, it’s not because of his parents. It’s because of you.” My mom chokes up. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you and your sister to be happy. To get married and have children of your own and raise them to be strong and amazing people just like you.”
Unable to speak, I nod as tears continuously stream down my face while I try to regain my composure.
“But what doyouwant, Marissa?”
“What?”
“What doyouwant with your life, sweetheart? All your father and I want is for you to be happy. Even if you have to leave Magnolia to do it.”
Laughter bubbles from my throat. “I want to spend the rest of my fucking life with Finn.”
“Language, young lady.”
“Sorry, Momma.”
She’s quiet for a few moments. “Don’t let it happen again. And you’re paying for our breakfast along with the donuts. I already told Peyton to expect you.”
“Yes, Momma.” I smile. “Love you.”
“Love you, too, sweetheart,” she responds before hanging up the phone, causing me to chuckle softly as I shoot a text off to Peyton, telling her I’ll take care of their breakfast and the donuts after church before I hear a knock on my office door, and it opens slowly.
I swipe at my face before grabbing a small pocket mirror out of my desk to ensure all evidence of my tears is wiped from my face as Campbell walks in.
