Chapter 28

Cookies and cream hit her tongue and Heather relished in her favorite treat. She agreed to spend the night at her mother’s house since it was the night before her parents' remarriage. Her parents were getting married. Heather ate another spoonful. Her mind still couldn’t wrap around the notion.

After years of separation and divorce, her family was getting back together. She always had a family, but it never felt the same with her father gone. Sure her mother taught her right from wrong. She was strong and could take care of herself, but nothing replaced her father. Would she regain those memories with him? Perhaps time would redeem itself.

“Having fun?” her mother asked.

Sonia swallowed another spoonful.

Heather smiled at her mother’s black cocktail dress. “Where are you going?”

“Out with your father.”

Sonia’s forehead wrinkled. “I thought this was your bachelorette party?”

Her mother fastened her wristwatch. “I’m going out with your father. This was your idea, so have fun.”

This would take some getting used to. While the thoughts still plagued Heather’s mind, she ignored them. She only prayed it was different this time. Perhaps her parents had a second chance at happiness. Never in a million years did she believe her father would return, much less her mother accepting his proposal.

“Our mother is ditching us for a man.” Sonia wagged her finger.

Heather’s mother winked at them and headed out the door. The sisters laughed and watched the romantic comedy You’ve Got Mail, followed by Sonia’s favorite Brown Sugar. Heather’s heart clenched as Cassandra Wilson’s “Time after Time” played as Sydney’s character left to find Dre, her best friend and true love only to see him with his wife. Heather rolled her eyes at the irony of the situation.

She licked the corner of her mouth free of ice cream as the words washed over her. If only she didn't feel the man's presence around her. Her hands prickled thinking about his on top of hers as they rolled the dough to make the gingerbread. She had leaned into his embrace. The heat from his body radiated through her. His cheek pressed against her temple.

Then he kissed her. She had lost all sense of time. His hands felt so secure around her waist. She loved teasing the nape of his neck with her fingers.

“Are you okay?” her sister asked.

Heather scratched her head. “I’m good. Did Morgan sign with that company?”

“She’s still weighing her options and I know you’re changing the subject.” Sonia narrowed her eyes at her.

“What?”

She didn’t give up. “Sis?”

Heather shook her head, setting her bowl of ice cream to the side. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Have you called him?”

“And say what? That ‘I’m in love with you. I can’t imagine the rest of my life without you. I know I walked away before, but I promise not to leave you, even though it freaks me out to commit.’”

Sonia’s lips turned up into a smile. “It’s a start.”

“That’s all you got to say?”

“Heather, you like to be in control but not with this. I don’t know Allen well, but word around town is he's a good man. Mrs. Weiss says he’s a gentleman, Elena says he’s great with her baby girl, Emily thinks the world of him. For the brief time he’s lived here, he’s made an impression. The situation is unusual, but I don’t think he’s playing you. If he says he’ll fix it, I believe him. His character shows. That’s admirable in a man, especially in our world.”

Heather rubbed at her arms. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

“You’re the bravest person I know.”

“I’m not brave, Sonia. This entire time I’ve been hiding behind this Wonder Woman impression.”

“No one asked you to. Be you.”

Heather shook her head. “I don't think I can. I’m not ready.” Tears spilled from her cheeks. She then felt her sister's arm around her shoulders. Her heart palpitated. “It's...”

“Scary? Wonderful? Terrifying.”

Heather sniffled, using the sleeve of her sweater to wipe her eyes. “All the above. I've… I’ve never been in love before.”

Sonia hugged her. “That doesn't mean you don't deserve it.”

Would he forgive her? That was the question. That was the risk. She would risk his rejection or remain alone. How? Commitment was not a part of her vocabulary. Even her parents didn’t get it right, but they were making amends now.

Heather wiped her face as Sonia broke their embrace. “You’re enjoying being the smart one, huh?”

Sonia flipped her hair, and the sisters laughed. Calling it a night after the movie, Heather walked to her old bedroom. Sitting on her bed, she clutched her phone. Allen was a phone call away. All she had to say was “I love you.”

Heather’s lips parted. She’d never said that to anyone. What would happen afterward? Would he say it back? Were his feelings as deep as hers?

Heather unlocked her screen and found his name. Her brain screamed for her to call him. She could be brave. Her thumb hovered over his name. One touch would change her life, but her insides quivered. Heather dropped her cell on the bed, and her head dropped into her hands like a storm-broken flower. Why couldn’t she take the chance?