Page 40 of Frozen Hearts

“We know,” Piper admitted reluctantly.

“It’s just that your life is never more unsettled than when Angela gets involved,” Autumn offered.

“I know. You guys aren’t wrong. But for what it’s worth, Mom has been on her best behavior. She hasn’t really tried to meddle much at all. Maybe she’s turning a corner.”

Willow saw the dubious expressions on her friend’s faces and laughed. She understood their hesitation. Her Mother had never been one to sit back as a casual observer. When it came to Willow’s life, Angela was either all in or all out. There had never been a healthy medium option where her mother was concerned.

After dinner she pulled each of her friends in for a hug. She was beyond grateful to have this group of women in her life. Willow watched as Mel also gave her friends hugs. Piper pulled Willow to the side and whispered in her ear.

“We really like this one. Good job,” Piper smiled.

“Thanks. I really like her too,” Willow admitted.

She and Mel rode in silence for a few minutes after leaving. Mel was the first to break the quiet.

“I like your friends. Tonight was so much fun,” Mel laughed.

“They liked you, too,” Willow said. She grabbed Mel’s hand and brought it to her lips.

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Yeah. That was the last thing Piper said to me before we left.”

“I’m so glad.” Mel squeezed her hand. Mel wanted her, and Willow could feel it. But in the moment, it wasn’t merely sexual.

“You know, my friends aren’t the only ones that are rather fond of you?” Willow said, her tone low.

“Oh, who else is rather fond of me?” Mel teased.

“I’m sure many people. But I. Well, I love you.” Willow said the words quickly before she could second guess them. Waiting for Mel’s response felt like it took a hundred years. In reality, Mel responded quickly, without hesitation.

“I love you, too.”

Willow knew that Mel wanted this thing between them to grow. Willow wanted the same thing. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words stopped in her throat. An unfamiliar car sat parked in her driveway. Mel met her eyes and arched her eyebrow, questioning.

“Mom must have invited someone over,” Willow suggested.

She walked into her home and heard laughing in the kitchen. There was a familiarity to the sound that Willow couldn’t place. She was about to bypass her mother and take Mel back to her room.

“Willow is that you?” Angela called out. Willow gave a silent curse under her breath. She mouthed an apology to Mel. Mel gave her a tiny smile and followed her to the kitchen.

“Sweetie, look who I found,” Angela announced proudly as Willow walked into the kitchen. Willow stopped dead in her tracks as her eyes fell on her mother’s guest. Amy sat across from Angela at the kitchen table.

Willow could feel the world spinning. Beside her Mel’s grip tightened on her hand. Her Mom was saying something, but Willow couldn’t make out the words. She began walking away.

“Willow, stop. Don’t you think we should talk?” Amy’s words cut through Willow’s fog like an arrow. Mel met her eyes with a questioning glance.

“Mel, meet Amy. My ex,” Willow gestured towards Amy. Mel’s eyes widened in realization. Her hand tightened even more around her own.

“Willow. We should talk. Alone.” Amy let her eyes slide to Mel. The gesture was not subtle, and Willow felt a heat rising inside of her.

“Mel, can I call you tomorrow? I just need to figure some things out,” Willow offered.

The way Mel’s eyes narrowed was a clear sign that Willow had made the wrong decision. But Mel gave her an obviously forced smile before turning to leave. Willow hated to watch Mel leave. Mel allowed the door to close loudly behind her. Willow sucked in a breath and turned to face Amy.

Amy stood with her arms folded, leaning casually with her back against the wall. Willow was struck with the realization that six long months ago this same sight would have prompted her to kiss the woman. Now it filled her with a mild vexation.

“What are you doing here, Amy?” Willow sighed. Amy looked at her confused.

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