I’d just taken a bite of the red wine arancini I stole from one of the waiter’s trays and brought out here with me. I loved risotto. Cover it in breading and cook it in oil, and I was obsessed. What I didn’t care about was my lipstick.
I finished chewing, then turned to face her. “Totally worth the mess.” I held the other half of the arancini out. “Have you tried this?” I moaned. “It’s amazing.”
Her lips formed a thin line. “You have guests.”
It was hard to tell if byguests, she meant actual guests or if she was referring to Brady. I’d caught her watching our conversation with a smile that mirrored the sun.
My mom had surrendered her dreams to my dad so that he could chase his. She was perfectly content being the trophy wife of a senator.
I was nothing like my mother.
I wanted more.
I finished the breaded ball. “I know. I’m sorry. I was just taking a minute to…” I shrugged. “…think.”
She laid a hand on my shoulder. Mom was always touching my hand or hugging me. She always kissed me on the forehead before I left the house and ran her hand along my arm in that soothing way moms sometimes did. It was as if she had to become overly affectionate to make up for Dad’s sudden lack of it.
“Anything you want to talk about?”
Actually, yes.
“I think I want to stay here.”Did I say that out loud?
Her mouth spread into a small smile. “We are staying here. We aren’t going back to the city until next week.”
I did. I said it out loud.
“No. I mean, I want tostayhere.” I paused to gauge her expression. “After you go back.”
“Tatum, you aren’t serious. This is a vacation home. There’s nothing for you here.”
I pointed toward the cottage. “There’s a studio for me to practice. I can take online classes during the week and go into the city and teach dance on the weekends. I feel at home here. I’d rather drink coffee on the balcony and watch the waves roll in than have brunch at Peacock Alley and spend the rest of the day buying shoes I’ll never wear. I’ll stay in the guest house if that’s easier.” I sighed. “I just want to stay.”My mind is quiet here.
After a silence that felt like an eternity, she inhaled a deep breath. “Fine.” She let out the breath. “I’ll talk to your father.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yes. Really.” Her expression was stern but amused.
My heart was ready to explode. I wrapped both arms around her and squeezed as tightly as I could. Then I kissed her on the cheek, hard and messy, leaving a bright red lipstick smear on her contoured cheekbone.
“Thank you. Mom. I swear you won’t regret it.”
“We haven’t saidyesyet.”
No. But they would. They had to.
I didn’t think I would survive the last two years. I was sure I wouldn’t live through the pain of losing my best friend and the guilt of knowing I might have been able to save her. I thought I would let my anger consume me. But I didn’t. I was here. I made it. And now I had a plan.
I was done surviving.
I was ready to start living again, ready to take that step.
I was ready to fly.
The future would take care of itself. Right now, I was enjoying the moment—starting with finishing the conversation Brady started before my brother interrupted.
I found him away from the crowd, staring out over the water and sipping on a bottle of Shiner Bock.