Page 41 of Frozen Hearts

“Your Mom found me and told me how much you missed me. So, I came over because…” Amy paused for a beat, she sighed loudly then continued.

“I came over because I miss you, too,” Amy said. Willow’s mind spun in a million different directions. This was clearly a conversation she and Amy would have to have tomorrow.

“Okay. I can’t have this talk tonight. Can you come back in the morning?” Willow asked. Her words came out more curt than she’d intended. A glance at Amy’s face told Willow that she was taken aback by her tone.

“I should be able to come over tomorrow morning. Is ten, okay?” Amy asked.

“Sure. Ten should be fine.”

Willow walked Amy to the door to see her out. She was surprised when Amy turned and lay a hand against her cheek.

“I really have missed you,” Amy insisted. Willow pulled her face away.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” Willow closed the door and turned to find her mother in the living room, watching her.

“Why send Amy away?” Angela asked. It was the genuine confusion that got to Willow.

“What on Earth were you thinking inviting Amy here? After everything that I’ve been through trying to move on over the last six months.

“I thought you’d be happy,” Angela said defensively.

“Why would you think that? What have I said that led you to that conclusion? I’m dating Mel. I’m in love with Mel.”

“But you still miss Amy.” Her Mom’s words stung, in part because they were true.

“I’m moving on. It takes time and it’s painful. But I’m making plans with a new person. I’m in love with Mel.” Willow hated the pain in her own voice.

“Why?”

“Why, what?”

“What makes this Mel person so special? Amy is accomplished and successful,” Angela said.

“She also left me without a single conversation,” Willow demanded. She threw her arms in the air.

“She’s here now.”

“Now it’s too late.”

Her Mom gave a weary sigh. Willow had seen her mom do the same thing since childhood. Angela pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Mel seems like a nice girl. I know you like her. I’m just asking you to consider both of your options,” Angela stated. From his dog bed Sushi gave a groan. He didn’t like the raised voices.

“I’m going to bed,” Willow announced.

“Come on, Sushi,” Willow commanded. Sushi gave a long stretch then followed her to the bedroom.

As soon as the door closed Willow’s weariness hit her like a ton of bricks. The night had started out so perfectly. Why had her mom felt compelled to ruin it? Because this was their pattern. Willow would pick something. But if what she picked wasn’t up to Angela’s standards, she would insert herself into Willow’s life. Here she was a grown woman, still struggling with her mom’s interference. Tomorrow, she’d see Amy again. Tonight, she needed to text Mel. She desperately wanted to smooth things over with the woman.

Willow stared down at her phone, unsure of what to text. Instead, she found her fingers hitting the call button. It felt like the phone rang for a long time before Mel answered. Longer than usual.

“Hello.” Mel’s voice sounded stiff to Willow’s ears.

“Hey, I’m so sorry about tonight,” Willow said apologetically.

“What did you and Amy talk about?” Mel asked, her voice lacked its usual warmth.

“She wants to get back together.” Willow knew that even though it was difficult, honesty was the best policy.

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