I change quickly and go to the store, dragging a shadow of despondency with me.
My best friend picks up on my somber mood and when we’re in our shared office, she asks, “What’s wrong?”
Words pour out of me. I don’t even breathe between sentences.
Kat goes from listening to gasping to shaking her head. “Okay, your dad is totally overreacting.”
I throw my hands in the air. “I’m afraid he’ll jeopardize Ian’s career to prove a point. He’s not thinking rationally and…”
She wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace, making me feel a bit better.
“I’m terrified. I don’t want Ian to regret us.” The thought clenches around my chest in an unyielding fist that has my heart caving in.
“Hey, it’s his decision as well. Ian proved he’d do anything just to have you in his life.”
I know, and that’s the issue. But what if he wakes up one day and blames me for it?
Ian’s only fault is wanting someone he shouldn’t. Our love shouldn’t be forbidden, damn it. Our love is simple in its needs, so why is everything else so freaking complicated?
Later that afternoon, I call my mom, bursting into tears when she answers.
“Oh, honey, what’s the matter?”
“Dad is punishing Ian because…” My voice breaks, and I can’t even continue, needing a moment to collect my frayed thoughts.
She exhales a deep breath. “Like mother, like daughter, huh? I told him you’d end up with a player. He never listened.”
“Mom, please…” I say through a hiccup.
“Your dad needs his time. Forcing his hand won’t help,” she says softly. “He wants what’s best for you. He couldn’t give it all to his family.”
“But, Mom, you’re not Ian and me,” I insist, as if that’s all it takes for this ordeal to end.
“It doesn’t matter. Parents want better things for their kids. You’ll understand when you have some of your own.”
“Will you talk to him?” I plead.
She sighs. “Oh, honey, we would only end up talking about the past. And neither of us fancies that.”
I understand her reluctance, so I change the subject—dejected.
She talks about her dog, Puffy, and Elliot, her husband, who injured his wrist playing golf, and I tell her about the plans for my shop.
I feel a bit lighter after the talk with Mom.
A knock raps on my door, and I open it with bated breath. I expect every day now, Ian, to tell me it’s not worth it. That I am not worth this stress. The thought alone squeezes my heart into a deadly grip, leaving me void.
His brows furrow, and he shuts the door behind him, palming my face.
“I’m so sorry,” my voice shakes and tears blur my vision.
I love him so much it’s killing me.
“Shh, it’s not your fault, baby.”
“I don’t want you to end up hating me,” I say through sobs.
He pulls me to his chest, holding me tightly. “Nothing could change my feelings for you. You get that?”
