Page 49 of Frozen Hearts

Chapter 20

After leaving the cafe Willow had spent her day trying to get some work done. It had ultimately been an effort in futility. She had settled for sitting on her couch texting River. Later, she would go over to Willow’s house. She could only hope that Mel would see her side of things.

Amy had never been an option, not really. But she had needed to have the conversation. Willow had needed the closure. Willow’s love for Mel had never lessened over the time she spent with Amy. But would Mel believe that? Willow had spent the last two hours desperately trying to tune into the show she was watching. She was finally beginning to settle in when her door shook with a thunderous knock. Willow startled, but knew immediately that it had to be River.

She opened the door and was surprised to find that River was not alone. Autumn and Piper both stood with her. Autumn and Piper’s arms were crossed over their chests. They leveled stares at Willow.

“Hey guys. Why don’t you come in?” Willow chuckled.

“Willow, how could you not tell us what was going on with Amy?” Autumn accused.

“I can’t believe we had to hear about everything from River,” Piper said sternly.

“I was a little busy actually handling the situation,” Willow responded.

“You can’t send like a text message or something?” Piper asked.

Despite their tones, Willow knew that her friends were here because they cared. She flashed Autumn and Piper an apologetic smile. Willow watched as the two women dropped their guards.

“You’re right, I should be better about keeping the two of you up to date,” Willow admitted. Autumn and Piper grinned.

“That’s all we ask,” Piper chuckled. Willow rolled her eyes.

“Catch us up,” Autumn said, she strolled over to Willow’s couch and sat down.

As if on cue Sushi ran in from Willow’s bedroom and plopped into his dog bed. It was as if Sushi wanted to be part ofthe gossip, too. They laughed at the scene of the beagle laying there, paws crossed, watching them.

“Okay, catching you up. Mom did a thing and tracked Amy down. So I come home and it’s just Mom and Amy at my kitchen table. I was thrown pretty off guard. Not at all what I was expecting. I guess I’ve been on Amy’s mind. She was hoping we could rekindle the relationship.”

“Of course, she was. You were a great girlfriend,” Piper announced. The beginnings of a smile curved up the ends of Willow’s lips.

“Thanks,” Willow said genuinely.

“I don’t think Mel would agree. Unfortunately, she got caught in the middle of this entire situation.”

“What did she say about all of this?” Autumn asked.

“She said we should go on a break while I figured everything with Amy out.”

“Which is honestly fair,” River chimed in.

“I know. It’s just hard,” Willow admitted.

“So where are things between the two of you now?” Piper asked.

“I’m supposed to go talk to her tonight.”

“What are you going to say?” River asked.

“I’m going to explain my side of things. I’m going to apologize, because this has been unfair to Mel. I know that it has. And I’m going to hope that she can forgive me.”

Her friends nodded their heads.

“Mel is the real deal. We could tell when she hung out with us. You don’t exchange something that real for something that has already run its course,” Piper admonished.

“I know. What I want with Mel is real, too. I can only hope after everything that she can see that,” Willow admitted.

Piper’s words wouldn’t have hurt so much, except that they struck a chord. Her friend was right. Willow had fallen for Mel, but she had let her go until she sorted things out with Amy. It had been a mistake; Willow could see that now. As if she could sense Willow’s inner conflict, Piper gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

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