“I heard you decided to pass on the internship,” she continued.
I braced for her disappointment or anger. “I hope you don’t think I’m ungrateful or not appreciative—”
“What? No, of course I don’t think that. I was hoping we could snap you up, but I’m not surprised you turned it down.”
“You’re not?”
“I knew it would take a lot to steal you away from that gorgeous shop of yours, and then Fran showed me your social media account—I started following Felix, by the way, and voted in the Midsummer outfit poll.”
My jaw dropped. What?
“You’re so talented,” she continued. “Never feel bad for turning down opportunities that aren’t right for you. It means you’ll be free to say yes down the line when the right offer presents itself. Besides, this serves my selfish interests. I’m already planning my trip to Starlight Grove so I can hire you to design a custom dress for me.”
I gripped my phone harder. “But I…what?”
“I hope if nothing else, this interview experience gives you more confidence. You’re very talented. Don’t belittle what you’ve accomplished.”
I swallowed hard. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
“I’ll be in touch once I know my travel dates. Take care, Lucy.”
After we hung up, I stared at my phone, stunned.
I took deep breathsas I turned my Razor scooter down my moms’ street.
Well, it might not be exactlymyscooter. I’d found it in the garage of King’s rental, but it wasn’t like Ms.Ito needed it right now.
Lala was in the front yard, kneeling as she pulled weeds coming up around the bright pastel tulips lining the walkway. The tension in my chest eased. Of all my moms, Lala understood me the best.
She waved as I parked the scooter in their driveway.
“Hey, love, I didn’t know you were coming over.”
“Just a spur-of-the-moment thing. I wrapped up work early, so I figured I’d come say hello.”
Her cocked eyebrow told me she didn’t quite buy my nonchalance, but she didn’t push it as she pulled me into a tight hug. “Where’s the bun-bun today?”
“Blossom is hanging out with Wilder at the firehouse.” We’d picked her up from Summer this morning. King had pouted because even after he’d meticulously prepared her morning salad, she had still chosen to go to work with Wilder instead of him.
She pursed her lips. “And when are you bringing these guys over for us to meet?”
“You mean interrogate?”
“It’s our job as your moms.” Her tone was light, but her scent turned bitter. She averted her gaze, busying herself with brushing the dirt off her hands.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I just…I’m so sorry, honey. We failed you with your exes.”
“What do you mean?”
She swallowed hard. “It was obvious pretty early on that they didn’t make you happy. Every time we saw you, it was like they’d chipped away a little bit more of your sunshine. I should have done more to protect you from them.”
My throat tightened with emotion as I grasped her hand. “You did try. I just wasn’t ready to listen.” All of my moms had made little comments questioning my exes, which had felt like personal attacks at the time. “I was the one who reacted defensively whenever you brought it up. It’s my fault. I should have known better.”
She shook her head, expression fierce. “Don’t say that. Their treatment of you is not your fault. Some lessons we can only learn by living them. I just wish you could have been spared a broken heart.”
I blinked quickly to keep my tears from falling. “Love you.”
