She had to take control and she had to do it now. Before her new life here in New York shattered beyond recognition.
“Listen, we need to talk.”
Her mother nodded. “And we will. But first, you might as well change clothes. Our guest won’t be here until seven and it’s only three-thirty now. Why don’t you get comfortable. You’ll be able to change back into a nice, unwrinkled, presentable outfit later.”
Amy sighed. “I’ll worry about how I’m going to deal with Buckley later. First we’re going to talk. The three of us, so sit. Please.” She gestured to the small set of couches.
Her mother and aunt gave each other concerned glances before settling themselves on the cushions.
Amy sat down between them. “You both know how much I love you, right?”
“We love you, too,” they said at the same time.
Amy swallowed hard. “What I’m going to say isn’t easy, but it has to be said.” She rubbed her hands against her pants, nerves setting in. These two women meant the world to her. They’d raised her, they adored her, and she felt the same way about them.
They also caused more trouble than two five-feet-one-inch women should be able to. She adored them for their quirkiness, but she needed them to keep their antics in Florida. Far from Amy—except for planned vacations.
“I’m glad you came to visit because I really missed you both.”
“We’re glad, too. It’s been fun,” her aunt Darla said.
“What’s wrong? You seem sad.” Her mother put her hand on Amy’s shoulder.
Rose had always understood her daughter and it was no different now. Unfortunately for Amy, she was about to break her mother’s heart. “Mom, in case you don’t realize it, my life’s a little hectic at the moment.”
“Which is why it’s good your aunt and I are here, right?” Her mother looked at her with her big, imploring eyes.
Amy drew a deep breath. It was now or never, she thought. She might not have been able to fight for her relationship with Roper—something she’d yet had time to analyze. But suddenly she was ready to fight for herself and her future.
She leaned forward. “I
t’s not so good that you’re here right now, Mom.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, hurt in her voice.
“I came to New York to grow up,” she said, looking toward the bookshelves she’d put her favorite things upon. “I thought I was doing that, but it turns out I was just running away from things,” she said, more to herself than to them.
“I don’t understand,” her mother said. “Darla, do you understand what Amy is saying?”
Her aunt shook her head. “No, but I think she does and that’s what matters.”
“I left Florida to get a life. Instead, I’ve still been running away from one,” she said, coming to the realization as she spoke.
She’d put miles between herself and her family. But it wasn’t them she was running from—it was herself. It was time to stop. To deal with her past and embrace her future, one that, she hoped, included Roper.
“All I ever wanted was for you and dad to be proud of me,” Amy said, taking her first step.
“I am. And he would be. Just look at you, my beautiful girl.”
Amy smiled. “I love you for saying that, but don’t you think that this mess with the photographers, the naked pictures…” She shook her head. “He’d be appalled.”
“At the people who did it to you, yes. But not at you! He admired people with spunk. Why do you think he married me? I was the same crazy woman at eighteen that I am now. And I refuse to discuss my age, so don’t ask.”
Aunt Darla opened her mouth but Rose shot her a look that clearly said “Don’t you dare.”
Her sister shut it without speaking.
Amy laughed.