Page 162 of All at Once

As soon as they’re done talking, I ask him, “What did she say?”

“That you’re with a really awesome guy.” Luca brushes my shoulder.

I snort. “Yes, I’msureshe said that. What did she really say?”

“That she’s happy it worked out and that she thinks we look good together.”

“Aw, really? That’s so sweet.” I thank her as Luca’s cocky smirk returns.

“Whenexactly did you tell her about me?”

I don’t even bother denying it. “A week ago.”

“A week ago?” He raises his brows. “So before the wedding then?”

“Yeah…”

“That’s cute,” he says so arrogantly, contrasted by how softly he traces over my cheek.

Feeling a spike in my temperature yet again, I pout. “Stop distracting me. I almost forgot what I came here for.”

He grins to himself as I walk to a section that I remembered was filled with a variety of notebooks and journals before picking up the pastel yellow journal that I couldn’t stop staring at last time.

Although, I didn’t quite know what I’d use it for then, so I put it back on the shelf secretly hoping I’d find a reason to come back for it.

And now I have my reason.

Debating between the lilac and yellow journal, I decide to go with the latter, noting how brightening I find this shade to be ever since Luca pointed it out to me.

Picking up the bundle of paper, I walk toward the register while revealing to him, “I want to start journaling. It would have been nice to have started years ago, so that now I could have something to look back on and see how far I’ve really come. Since it’s so easy to discredit everything you’ve done so far like you said before.”

“I think that’s a beautiful idea, Jasmine.” Luca rubs my back as I set the journal near the register. I take out my wallet, but then he stops me. “I got it.”

“Are you sure?” I ask since it’s not exactly a cheap item.

“Absolutely,” he says.

“Thank you.” I kiss his cheek. “Please tell her that I really appreciated her advice from before.”

He nods and then translates her response to me, “She said that you look a lot less stressed today. She also said it’s not worth it to ever let a guy stress you out.”

Giving her a knowing warm grin, she smiles back at me before Luca and I walk toward the door.

I continue smiling even as we leave the beautifully charming shop. How nice it is for a woman who didn’t need to show a stranger any kindness still decided to do so.

I guess it’s not about it being a stranger or your own family. It’s who makes you feel comfortable to be yourself. The people who accept you and appreciate you for who you are. And through that acceptance make you want to be better, not pressure you into thinking youneedto change.

I realize how much easier it’s been to be myself on this trip, especially the longer I’ve been here. And why I cared so much about my parents to be proud of me in the first place.

It’s a lot easier to be yourself when you have the support.

For years, I wished they would see me like this and liked me the very same. A big part of wanting to make them proud had to do with me being an only child. I learned the hard way that not impressing them enough or listening to their restrictions equated to losing their support. They were all I ever had though, so if I didn’t have them as support, I didn’t have anyone. Until I got to college and met people like Georgia.

Yet now, I’m learning, it might be worthwhile to invest in those that do see value in the things you also value. The pain from the neglect of who you once wanted to care about you may not be erased. However, there’s joy waiting to embrace you if you let it.

It’s so damn hard though. On some days impossible even. But it just might be worth it.

When we reach Luca’s car again, he turns toward me and asks, “Do you want to drive or walk?”

---