“You’re still going to finish your doctorate?”
“I swear I am. I can do it online, no problem.”
Easier said than done, Harper imagined. “It’s going to be a lot of work when you’re also teaching.”
“I know, but I can do it.”
“What does your mom think of all of this? I’m assuming you’ve told her?”
“I did.” Willa glanced at her fingernails again. “I don’t think she’s very happy about it.”
“I bet she isn’t.”
“Well, I don’t know why. I thought she loved me.”
Harper rolled her eyes. “If you’re going to make adult decisions, you have to act like an adult and not resort to childish accusations. Saying that is petty and unfair. You know your mother loves you. But you also need to realize she’s about to start a new chapter in her life. In a new place, with a new career opportunity, with a new guy.”
“And what? There’s no room for me?”
“There will always be room for you and your brother in her life. Again, that’s a silly thing to say. Can’t you see how she was thinking about going in this new direction as a woman and not necessarily as a mom? She’s an amazing mother. You know that. But having you here means she’ll be worrying about you more than she normally would be. Especially with you making all these changes.”
Willa lifted her thumb to her mouth and chewed on the edge.
Harper exhaled. “I guess what I’m saying is your mom was about to be a little selfish, in a good way, and having you here makes that less possible. She loves you. So do I. But you get what I’m saying, don’t you? Your mom has spent most of her adult life caring for you and your brother and your dad. She’s always shouldered incredible burdens. Financial and otherwise. And now…” Harper shrugged. “Things were going to be different.”
“They still will be,” Willa argued.
“Yes. But notquiteas different. She’s never going to stop being your mom. She’s never going to stop worrying about you.”
Willa slumped in her chair. “And that’s what she’s going to do with me here.”
“To some extent, yes. It’s built into her. Do you get that?”
“Yeah.” Willa nodded, looking dejected. “I already took the job and told my school I wouldn’t be coming back. I can’t undo that. I’m kind of stuck.”
“You can stay, don’t worry about that. And trust me, your mom will love having you here. But she has to come to terms with it and figure out how that will impact her new choices.”
“It won’t.”
“Tell her that. And you need to acknowledge that you made some hasty decisions without talking to her first. That’s probably bothering her, too.”
“I know it is. I talked to her earlier.”
Harper made a face. “I thought she was at Lucas’s.”
“She came back to get a swimsuit.” Willa stared at the ceiling for a second. “I messed up. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not me you need to apologize to.”
“I know. But you’re cool with me staying?”
Harper nodded. “Yep. But youwillbe paying your share.”
“I know. I’m good with that. I don’t expect to live here for free.”
Harper sipped her water, then set the glass down again. “What’s the deal with you and Kyle? Just friends?”
Willa nodded quickly. “Just friends. He just got out of a relationship, and he’s got Ruthie to worry about.” She held her hands up. “I swear.”
