Misunderstandings (Woodfalls Girls 2)

Thirty minutes later, I was standing with Rob and Melissa as their guests began to arrive. More than a few of them I recognized from UW. Thankfully, even though they looked surprised to see me, they focused their attention on the engaged couple. I was amazed at how quickly the room filled with people.

Taking to the role of proper hosts, Melissa and Rob circulated the building, making sure they mingled with everyone. I had lost Justin in the crowd shortly after everyone started to show up and told myself it was probably for the best. We were playing a risky game, and taking time to figure things out was the smart thing to do. With that in mind, I forced myself to mingle with a few people I had been friendly with at UW. I was in the process of catching up with a few girls from school when a set of skinny arms crushed me into a hug.

“Brittni,” the hugger squealed with adolescent glee.

“Hollie, you’re all grown up,” I said, taking in the preteen in front of me, who was at least a head taller. “You look beautiful,” I added.

“Thank you,” she answered, twirling around so I could admire the full skirt. “I’m so excited you’re here. Come see Mom and Trav,” she said, pulling me away.

I threw an apologetic look at my old friends as Hollie dragged me across the room. “I didn’t know you were going to be here,” I told her, happily sliding an arm around her shoulders.

“Rob had to invite us. Mom’s been like a second parent to him almost his whole life. She wouldn’t have tolerated a non-invite,” she pointed out.

I grinned at her logic. That sounded like the Trish I remembered. My grin spread to a full-fledged smile when Travis spotted me and squealed much like Hollie had. His hug was every bit as exuberant, and I found myself returning it fondly. It dawned on me at that moment that except for the drunken hug my friend Ashton had given me a few days prior to my Seattle trip, it had been two years since anyone had really hugged me. I forgot how much I had grown to like the hugs from this particular family.

“Travis, you look absolutely dashing. How does it feel to be a college man?”

“It’s cool,” he said, smiling broadly.

“Brittni, it’s so good to see you,” Trish said as Travis finally released me.

“You too, Trish,” I said, stepping in to give her a tentative hug. She surprised me by pulling me in tightly. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered in my ear before releasing me. Tears shone brightly in her eyes and I knew Justin had told her about the baby.

“He told you?” I asked as Hollie and Travis rushed over to talk to someone else they knew.

“He came over last night to talk. I always wondered what drove you two apart. I never realized,” she trailed off. “Had I known, I would have helped.”

“I didn’t know he never told you. I assumed all of you would hate me like he had.”

“Oh, honey, I would have never judged you,” she said sympathetically. “I’m sorry my son let his pride get the better of him. I could skin him for outing you in front of everyone.”

“He told you about that too?” I asked, shocked that he had been so honest.

“He’s not proud of his actions, but believe me when I tell you, he’s suffered also. The whole situation changed him from the young man he used to be. I know that’s little consolation for the pain you went through, but I wanted you to know he suffered too.”

“I know he did,” I said, fighting the wave of sadness that engulfed me.

“He’s learned from his mistakes, and I think he’s a better man for it,” she said as the subject of our conversation approached.

“Hey, Mom.” Justin greeted her with a hug. “Paul’s over by the bar and wants to know if you want a fruity drink or a glass of wine.”

“Oh, decisions, decisions,” she laughed, shooting me a warm smile. “I hope to see you again before you have to head back home.”

“I’d like that.”

“You two look like you were having a heart-to-heart,” he said, handing me another drink.

“You didn’t have to tell her. I would have kept my mouth shut,” I told him, sipping my drink as we settled at one of the high tables.

He chuckled darkly. “I know, but it was long past time she knew the truth.”

“My mom still doesn’t know,” I fessed up.

“What? The Queen of Knowing Everything never found out?”

I smiled at his description. “She obviously knows something happened, but I let her believe it was just a bad breakup. I know I’m her daughter, but I couldn’t trust her enough not to tell everyone. I didn’t want Woodfalls to be a repeat of what happened here.”

He looked pensive as he digested my words. Instead of commenting, he changed the subject. The conversation flowed easily between us as we caught up on the last two years. We steered clear of any more baby talk, focusing instead on Justin’s rapidly growing clientele and my desire to secure a full-time position. After a while, Travis and Hollie joined us with Paul’s two kids, Brady and Andrea. Brady was as talkative as Hollie and Travis. They all rambled on about everything from meeting me the first time to how Trish had met Paul. Eventually everyone left our table when Travis saw someone he knew from school and Brady got sick of our “boring conversation,” as he put it.