“Oh, I’m so glad. I’m happy you’re safe.”
“Are you? Or are you just glad that you weren’t implicated in anything that happened?” It was a low blow, but Aspen was past niceties.
“Aspen, I know a lot has happened between us, and I’m sorry that I trusted Dylan over you. But Idolove you, and I want you to be okay.”
Aspen bit her tongue. There was so much she could say in response to that, but nothing that she hadn’t said before.
“I’m seeing a therapist and taking medication,” her mother added.
Aspen’s brows shot up. “You are?”
“Yes. You’ve been telling me for years that I need help, and for a long time, I’ve been in denial. But this was my wake-up call. Idoneed help. My therapist has already helped me recognize that I suffer from dissociative identity disorder…or what used to be called split personality disorder. It makes it hard for me to maintain healthy relationships.”
Aspen couldn’t believe what her mother was saying. For so long, she’d dreamed about hearing similar words come out of her mouth, and now they were. “I’m glad you’re seeking help.”
“I know a lot has gone on between us, but would you ever consider…forgiving me? Maybe even having a relationship with me? A new one. Like a fresh start?”
Aspen swallowed and looked down at her black boots. A part of her, the part that had never had a mother she could rely on, wanted to say yes. But the other part, the part that had been burned so many times, was scared to feel hope in case she got hurt again.
“I promise you,” her mother hurried to add, “that nothing like what happened with Dylan will ever happen again.”
“It’s not just about that, Mom. It’s about everything that’severhappened between us. Our past is…heavy and complicated.”
“I know. I’m sorry. It was selfish of me to ask. Um…I should go. I just needed you to know how sorry I am and that I’m trying to do better.”
“Mom…”
“Yes?”
Aspen swallowed. “Give me time. Then, maybe, we can see about a relationship.” How much time, exactly, she wasn’t sure. But it was the most she could offer.
“Okay. Yeah, that…that sounds good. Thank you.”
“I hope you stay well, Mom.” In more ways than one.
“Thank you. And I hope you enjoy the life you’ve created in Amber Ridge. Despite all the adversity I threw your way, you’ve built a great life.”
On that, they could agree. “Thanks, Mom.”
When the call ended, Aspen’s chest rose and fell on a deep breath. She felt lighter. A kind of lightness she’d never really felt before. Her mother had finally acknowledged she needed help, which meant for the first time ever…sometime in the future…they might actually have a shot at a healthy relationship.
She stepped into The Tea House and caught Jesse’s gaze across the room. He was watching her so intensely.
Shehadbuilt a great life here, and one man had a lot to do with that.
She crossed the space between them, reminded with every step how lucky she was that Jesse had come into her life, and that she finally had the love she’d always written about and dreamed of.
Jesse leanedback in his seat and watched as Aspen stood behind the counter and spoke to Mrs. Gerald. While she’d been speaking to her mother, every protective part of him had wanted to march outside, take that phone from her fingers and hang upon Karen so she couldn’t hurt her daughter anymore. He hadn’t, and surprisingly, the conversation had gone well.
Something he was slowly learning was that Aspen didn’t need him to shield her from hard things. She was strong and fierce, and those were just two of the reasons why he loved her.
He was about to get up and drag her back to him when his phone rang, Lock’s number appearing on the screen. He’d been updating his former Ghost Ops team member about everything going on. Just as Aspen had been updating Lock’s partner, Callie.
He pressed the phone to his ear. “Hey.”
“Jess, hey, I just wanted to check in and see how everything’s going. I hate that I haven’t been there.”
“Callie’s pregnant and she needs you there, so that’s where youshouldbe. I had my brother and Holden, and we’re doing good now.”
