“You led with your heart, Cindy. That’s rarely the wrong decision.”
“I don’t know. I love Shannon, and I can’t imagine life not being her mom, but every day was difficult. For years there wasn’t enough money. I didn’t have any skills, so I couldn’t get a job that paid anything. My dad’s health was getting worse, and his disability check only went so far. I was scared and alone.”
But you had your baby.Ava didn’t say the words—why state the obvious? In the end, Cindy had made the hard decision, and while she might question it, Ava knew she never regretted it.
“You got through it all,” she said gently, knowing that with time and hindsight, she could finally find grace. “Look at the two of you. You’re so close and have a wonderful relationship. That will never change.”
Cindy ducked her head. “Don’t be nice,” she pleaded quietly. “You should punish me. Please. I deserve it.”
“Not my style,” Ava said lightly. “You’re going to have to live with the guilt.”
She meant the comment teasingly, but Cindy’s eyes filled with tears. “I did and I do,” she whispered. “Oh, Ava, I’m so sorry for what I did. For hurting you. I was selfish. In some ways, thehard times really helped me. They made me feel like I was being punished for what I’d done.”
“I hope that’s not true,” Ava told her. “No one thought you should be punished. There’s no crime in loving your baby.”
“But you were devastated.”
“I was, and then I moved on.” She paused, thinking maybe she should be a little more honest. “But I did often think about you and Shannon and wonder how you were.” She offered a faint smile. “Especially when Victoria was screaming at me for doing too much.” Her smile turned wry. “I envy your closeness with your daughter. Victoria and I don’t have that. I rub her the wrong way without even trying. It’s unfortunate.” A truth, because she had always wanted more for them.
“You made her strong,” Cindy said. “I wish I could have done that with Shannon.”
“I would love to take credit, but any strength Victoria has she built on her own. It wasn’t me.”
“You’re not giving yourself enough credit.”
“You’re giving me too much.”
They smiled at each other.
“Do you think,” Cindy began, then ducked her head for a second before straightening up. “Am I asking too much? Do you think there’s any chance the two of us could be friends again?”
The request surprised her. Friends with Cindy? Could she let the past go and accept the woman as she was today?
“I’d like that,” she said, surprising herself and possibly the woman sitting across from her.
“Me, too.”
They stared at each other. Cindy shrugged.
“So do we plan dinner or something?” she asked.
“We could, but you know what I’d really like?” Ava leaned toward her. “My kitchen desperately needs to be remodeled. I’ve hired a designer, and she’s come up with three different ideas. I have counter and door samples, paint colors and appliancesuggestions. All I have to do is pick what I like. But I can’t seem to do that. I’m overwhelmed. Shannon mentioned you used to oversee the housing remodels Luis did. Could you help me make some decisions?”
Cindy flushed. “I’m not a professional. I don’t have formal training.”
“No, but I’m guessing you have a good eye and you know a whole lot more than me.”
Cindy stared at her. “Are you sure you think I could help?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then yes, I’d love to be a part of the project.”
Victoria sat in her car, outside her parents’ house. As much as she’d been determined to ignore her mother indefinitely, Ava had said she was getting tired of the game and that they had to talk. Either Victoria came to her or she would camp outside her condo, which might cause trouble with the neighbors. Victoria wasn’t sure if her mom would actually follow through on her threat, but she was leaning toward the fact that Ava just might, and wouldn’t that be awkward.
So here she was, in her car, staring at the wide double doors, telling herself to just suck it up and get out. Only she really didn’t want to. Unfortunately, admitting that to herself made her remember Shannon’s assessment that she was an emotional coward who tried not to feel anything while secretly wanting to connect with people. Crap, of course, but for some reason it was crap she couldn’t seem to forget.
Her phone buzzed with a text.
