Page 35 of Frozen Hearts

“Better escape now. Yoga time will be…”

“Right now,” Angela interrupted. She strode into the kitchen with her yoga mat in hand.

“I have to get back to my run,” River said in mock apology.

“And I have to get started on my day,” Willow yawned.

Willow set her laptop up in its usual place in the living room. Today she had the added distraction of her mother doing the sun pose right in front of her.

“Are you going to tell me about your new friend?” Angela asked.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Willow smirked.

“Now, sweetie, I’m your mother. It’s only natural for me to ask about the people in your life. Whatever happened to Amy? I thought the two of you were serious.”

The last thing Willow wanted to endure during her workday was an impromptu therapy session with her mother. Willow took in a deep steadying breath.

“I thought Amy and I were serious, too. But she and I weren’t on the same page. She left me six months ago. The thing with Mel is new. Last night was our first date,” Willow explained.

“Will there be a second date?”

“Yes. I’m going over to her place tonight,” Willow answered.

“Well, I hope the two of you have fun,” Angela offered.

Willow knew that Angela went through stages of involvement with her life. Unfortunately, those stages were either gone without a trace, or overly involved. She could tell from her mom’s tone that they were about to enter the overly involved stage.

Willow was far too tired for the back and forth. She closed her laptop and gave her mom a smile.

“I’m going to work in the bedroom today. The light is better in there,” Willow said.

That was a lie and Willow knew it. The light always came in too hot through the bedroom window. It was still better than listening to her mother give her feedback about the woman she was dating. Willow settled onto her bed. She wasn’t surprised when Sushi nudged the door open with his snout and lay on the floor beside her. Willow opened her laptop and began her day for the second time.

Chapter 15

Mel gave her outfit a glance in the bathroom mirror. She huffed a sigh and opened the door to her bedroom. Brianna and Mase lay cuddled on her bed.

“How about this?” Mel asked. She trapped her lower lip between her teeth as she waited on Brianna’s assessment.

“I didn’t consent to this. I thought you invited me over to hangout,” Brianna whined. Mel rolled her eyes and laughed.

“You and I hangout all the time. But Willow is taking me to a play and I need to look put together,” Mel said.

Brianna let her eyes slide over to Mel. She rolled over on the bed so she could give her friend a more appraising look.

“Friend, you look great. But you’ve also looked great in the last three outfits. You look great in all your clothes.”

“Thank you. I do appreciate your compliments. But can you please just tell me what I should wear tonight?” Mel laughed.

“Wear your black dress and your heels,” Brianna sighed.

“Are you sure? I don’t know if this is a black dress occasion.”

“Mel, you’ve tried on every dress you own except the black dress. And we both know you’re a stunner in that one. I guarantee if Willow picks you up and you’re wearing that dress she’s going to have to pick her jaw up off the floor,” Brianna reassured her. Mel smirked.

“You really think I look that good in the black dress?” Mel asked.

“Stop fishing for compliments and try it on. I’m bored. And you know I hate boredom,” Brianna teased.

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