Page 19 of Reclaimed Roots

I forced a smile, shoving the phone back into my pocket. "Yeah, I'm fine."

She eyed me shrewdly. "Was that Liam who texted? You've been awfully quiet about him the last few days."

The cart's wheel caught on a raised tile. I used the momentary distraction to gather my thoughts. "It's nothing, Mom. It's just... complicated."

"Complicated?" She raised an eyebrow, reaching past me to grab a can of green beans. "That doesn't sound good. Are you two having problems?"

I sighed. "No, not exactly. It's just..."

"Just what?"

I leaned against the cart, the metal cool against my palms. "I don't know. Being back here, it's making me question things. My life in the city, my relationship with Liam... everything."

Mom nodded thoughtfully. "Coming home can do that. It's like holding up a mirror to your life, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I whispered. "I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I'm not so sure."

"And Liam? Where does he fit into all this?"

I closed my eyes, remembering his confused, hurt expression every time I brushed him off at the wake. "He's a good guy, Mom. He really is. But being with him, it's like I'm playing a part. The successful city girl with the perfect boyfriend. And I'm not sure that's who I want to be."

Mom placed a warm, soothing hand on my arm. "It's okay to be unsure. Life isn't always a straight path."

I nodded, blinking back tears. The store's tinny muzak filled the silence with a cheesy rendition of an 80s pop song that seemed wildly out of place in that moment.

"You know," Mom said, "your father and I went through a rough patch when we first got married. I thought we'd made a horrible mistake, that I'd trapped him in a life he didn't want."

I looked up, surprised. "Really? But you and Dad always seemed so perfect together."

She laughed. "Oh, we were far from perfect. Our problems were a little different from yours. I was certain your father wouldn't want to settle in Sable Point—he'd worked so hard to make it to this country. He always said he wanted abetter future for himself than his parents had. I couldn't fathom how he'd want to tie himself to me and this sleepy little town. But we worked at it. We talked, we compromised, and most importantly, we were honest with each other about what we wanted."

Honest. When was the last time I was truly honest with Liam? With myself?

"I'm not saying you should stay with Liam if he's not right for you," Mom continued. "But don't throw away something good just because you're scared of what might happen if you open up."

"Thanks, Mom. I-I'll think about it."

She smiled and patted my arm before turning back to the shelves. "That's all I ask because, after all..."

"You know things. Yeah, yeah."

"Exactly. Now, grab some chocolate chips. I'm feeling the need to bake."

I smiled despite myself, and the heaviness in my stomach started to dissipate. Then my phone buzzed again. Another text from Liam.

LIAM

No rush, obvi. But I miss you.

Why am I like this?

The guilt from my indecision was a physical force pressing down on me. But I wasn't sure I was ready to face the music. Especially when I couldn't answer a simple question.

What do I really want?

Chapter Ten

JASPER

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