That was when she drew back, frowning at me. “What’s your fault, Eden?”
The words poured like a tidal wave, inevitable and destructive, as I told her about my childhood, the stifling religion I’d finally escaped when I turned eighteen, the dread I’d carried with me since the moment I started planning to open Garden of Delights. I told her about the hate mail we’d received and the note tied to the brick that vandalized Milo’s store.
Then I told her about my parents leaving the country without a goodbye, my brother getting married and having a daughter I’d never met, my fear that the kid was living out my miserable childhood all over again.
Terry was silent long enough that I thought she was going to shove me away and tell me to stay away from her son. I even started to flinch away, but she caught my face in her hands and locked eyes with me, that slate gray going soft as kitten fur in the same way Milo’s sometimes did.
“You think you’re responsible for some vandal’s behavior because you grew up in an environment like that?”
My mouth opened and closed twice before I nodded. “Well…yeah. I’m the target. If I hadn’t been in Milo’s store, they would have thrown that brick here.”
“And you know that,” Terry said gently, “as fact?”
“I—well. It makessense, doesn’t it?”
She smiled as she brushed her thumbs across my wet cheeks. “A lot of things make sense, Eden, but that doesn’t make them all true. Was your name on either note?”
“No,” I admitted.
“So whoever did those things might not know a single thing about you, wouldn’t you say?”
Good god, was this what it was like having a mother whocared?I blinked back at Terry, frowning, even as her lips curved into a smile.
“And do you think, even if that personwastargeting you, that a man I raised would blame the victim of these acts? A victim he clearly loves?”
“No,” I whispered.
“Do you think if you talked to him about it, that he’d want to be away from you while you’re hurting like this? That he doesn’t deserve to be part of the conversation, to have the chance to keepyousafe, too?”
“No.” I closed my eyes against the ache in my chest.
“Good, because if you thought that of him, I’d tell you he deserves better, Eden. But he loves you, and if I’m not mistaken, you love him, too.”
“I do. I’m in love with him.”
Her smile widened until it was glowing, radiant. “Good. Eden, darling, you have no control over what other people do. Milo knows that the people we love are always more important than the things we have. His new window is being installed rightnow, and this incident gave Carter an opportunity to share his talents with the world. There’s always a bright side.”
A trembling breath slipped past my lips. “You’re very wise.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice. Now, what do you say about that early access sale, hmm? I think Tucker would love this little red number, and if Milo is anything like his father—though please don’t tell me, I don’t need to know—I think you’d look absolutely stunning in this sweet silver nightie.”
The laugh that burst from my throat sounded as rusty as it felt, but I gestured toward the piles and said, “Please, be my guest. And I think you’re right about the silver.”
Terry’s smile turned soft. “What he sees in you is what you should see in yourself, Eden. That’s not easy, but if you let him show you, you’ll find out that he’s got impeccable taste. Gets it from his father.”
This time, the laughter came more easily. When Terry pulled me in for another hug, I hugged her back. My own mom might have been cold, stern, and strict, but she was out of my life, as far as I was concerned.
Family didn’t require shared DNA. The Davies clan was proof of that.
And it was about time I let myself believe it.
TemptedasIwasto close the shop early and go straight over to Milo, I went home, washed my face until there was no trace of tears, and packed a bag for the night.
The silver nightie was at the top of the pile. I couldn’t fix this with sex, but it felt like a peace offering, a little treat for us both after he accepted my apology.
Driving to Milo’s house was nerve-wracking, especially when I wondered if I should have texted to be sure he was home—it would have ruined the surprise, but at least I wouldn’t be freaking out during those seven minutes in the car. When I pulled into the driveway, his car was there and plenty of lights shone through the windows.
I’d put on the heels that made his gray eyes turn to molten steel, but otherwise, I was wearing the dress I’d worn to work. Though I was prepared to ring the doorbell, Milo swung the door open as soon as I stepped onto the front porch.
