My forehead wrinkles. “What?”
“First, I enjoyed my years at home with you. I wouldn’t have swapped those out for a career even if I’d known your dad and I would divorce. I loved being the room mom, volunteering, and hearing about your day when I’d pick you up from school. Those are things that not all moms get and I’m grateful for them. I treasure those memories. Yes, it made it more difficult when your dad and I divorced. Especially when we argued about Jed. But I wouldn’t change a thing. And I love my salad dressing company, but I think I really loved it the most when you guys would all come and help me with a big order. My family is my happy place, Posey.”
“But you wanted to be mayor?”
She rests her hand on my knee. “I did. Because Rylan doesn’t need me like he did, and Hank is working a lot. I figured since the majority of my kids run businesses in Sunrise Bay, I’d be able to see them. That’s not the only reason, but when we heard Hank was sick, none of that mattered to me. The only thing that mattered was more time with him. Believe me, Hank and I have already fought over this enough. I don’t need to fight over it with you too.” She pats my leg. “It’s time you find your own happiness, and that can’t be making me happy. I should’ve never allowed you to be my campaign manager. That was my mistake.”
“I wanted to be,” I insist.
I rest my head on her shoulder and she wraps her arm around me. “I know, sweetie, but I think you’re denying yourself a pretty great opportunity if you let that man get on a plane.”
“I blew it, Mom.” Admitting it out loud feels like a knife in the ribs.
“You didn’t blow it. That boy showed up on my doorstep to make sure someone came over here to check on you. A man who is checked out of a relationship doesn’t do that. God knows your father…” She kisses the top of my head. “Never mind. We’re not going to go there.” She pushes lightly and nudges me back. “Do you love him? Be honest.”
Tears well in my eyes and streak down my face. I nod.
“Say it, Posey, own it.”
“I do. I love him, Mom. He’s different than any other boy. He’s so sweet to me and treats me like I’m special.” More tears tumble down, and I lose control. “And I hurt him. I didn’t put his happiness above everyone else’s. He kept giving me a chance to fix my mistake, and I just kept going on like a robot or something. Not understanding…” I sniffle and wipe my nose. “He has his own insecurities, and I disregarded all that. He’s too good for me.”
She laughs.
“What?”
“I thought the same thing about Hank. But the truth is, we’re easy to love.” She knocks our foreheads together. “In all seriousness, this will not be the first fight you have. You guys aren’t even public yet. All you can do is apologize and see if he’ll take you back.”
“I’m scared though.”
She nods. “You’ve never put yourself out there, Posey. But I think this guy might be worth having all of you, and maybe it’s mother’s intuition, but I think he can handle it. He’ll take good care of you, but you have to trust him. He’s not your father, sweetie. Don’t let your dad’s decisions dictate your future. Life is too short. Hank being sick brings that front and center. Take the opportunities, don’t squander them.”
I hug her, squeezing her so tightly. “Thank you so much. I love you.”
She squeezes me back.
“Okay, I’m going to try to catch him. Do you know which airport? Anchorage, I assume. I doubt he had a flight already booked.” I scramble down the walkway but have to go back to get my purse. “I’m going. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” my mom says.
I climb into my car and speed down the street, praying he’ll take me back. He’s living his second chance after rehab. Hopefully he’ll let me have my own.
I arrive at Anchorage airport an hour later with little hope that he’s still here. Regardless, I have to look for him to be sure.
“Posey,” Xavier says when I walk into the check-in area.
“You just come into town and leave? Nice.” I have no patience right now for Xavier and his new “I’m cooler than you” attitude.
“I think you’ll want to be nice to me.” He crosses his arms.
“Where is Giulia?”
“Bathroom. Come. Follow me.”
I look up at the departures to find the ones going to LA. Then it dawns on me. I have to figure a way to get farther into the terminal. Even more than that, Gavin might be flying private.
“How did you get here?” I ask my stepbrother.
“Private.” He’s so smug I want to punch him.
“Can you get me to the terminals? I just have to check the flights.”
“For Gavin?” he asks, his arrogance stinging with his know-it-all raised eyebrows.
“Spit it out, X,” I say. “Where is he?”
“Are you going to be nice to me?”
“Fine.”
“Follow me.”
I follow Xavier through security, where he shows passes that we’re flying private.
“He stopped by the house. I guess he and Giulia have a past. She wants to fly home, and she volunteered for him to use the private jet, so I’m just here to see them off. I’m going to stay for a while with Dad.” He glances over his shoulder. “I’m not the asshole you take me for. Family is still very important to me.”
“What about Clara?” I should be nicer to him, since he’s doing me a favor.
“That’s between us.” His voice is void of emotion.
We walk down a corridor, and there sits Gavin with his head in his hands. Giulia has her hand on his back, rubbing small circles.
Xavier says, “The man is a mess. Should I kick his ass? Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head. “I hurt him.”
“Well, now’s your chance to fix it. I know how you love fixing things.” Xavier holds out his arm for me to lead the way.
I tentatively walk forward. “Gavin?”
His head lifts and he soaks me in. The hurt is clear in his eyes, but so is his love.
“Can we talk?” I ask.
Giulia steps away and I take her seat.
“How do you know her?” Then I shake my head, not wanting to know. “Never mind. Not my business.”
“We dated. Years ago. Nothing serious.”
“You don’t have to be truthful all the time. I’d rather not see who I need to compare myself to.” I let out a nervous laugh, but he doesn’t laugh at all.
Gavin keeps his eyes on the floor between his legs. I can’t do this without his eyes on mine, so I slide off the seat and kneel between his legs.
“I’m so sorry. I’m an idiot. I was blinded by the fact that we could lose Hank and if we did, how would my mom ever recover from that? He’s her whole world. So I went into fix-it mode. How could I prepare ahead of time so that she’d be able to pick herself up? And I…”
He lifts his head and inhales a deep breath. “I know why you did it.” His voice is rough. “But I can’t do the secrets anymore. I’m sorry if your mom talked to you, but I couldn’t leave you crying and not have someone be there for you.”