Page 112 of That One Night
“We split up a while ago. I’ll explain it all to you, but I assume you prefer not to do it out here.”
Her mom nodded, her sense of hospitality overriding her confusion. “Very well.” She looked at Hendrix. “Please come in.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “With pleasure.”
Chapter
Thirty-One
It was almost eight.It had taken more than an hour this afternoon for Emery to explain everything to her mom, telling her the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
She hadn’t held back. Hadn’t tried to sugar coat that she’d been as wrong to hide the end of her engagement from her mom as Hendrix had been to hide Trenton’s demands from her. One thing she’d learned is that being underestimated by those you love is the most upsetting thing of all.
There had been tears, because this was all new for her mom. And she was desperately upset that Emery had gone through so much alone.
But there was also a new dynamic between them. One that could only come from being completely truthful and open. They were mother and daughter but they were also equals.
And it felt good.
Hendrix had left in the late afternoon to give his family a heads up that the news about Emery and him might spread through town very soon, and then to check the farm, feed and water Frank, and to give Emery and her mom some space.
But now her mom was heading up to bed, claiming she was exhausted, and Emery was walking over to Hendrix’s house, where he was waiting for her with two bottles of ice cold beer in his hands.
She took one from him. “I needed this,” she said, smiling at him.
“I thought you might.” He pulled her down next to him on the swing, and she was trying really hard not to remember what they’d done that night when it was just the two of them.
“Your mom okay?” he murmured.
“Getting there. She took it better than I thought she would,” Emery mused, resting her head on Hendrix’s shoulder. “I underestimated her. And that was wrong.” She looked at him, her brows dipped. “I made so many mistakes…”
“And you made so many good decisions, too. You’re a good daughter to her. You’re a good person.” He kissed the top of her brow and it sent a shiver down her spine. “You only did what you did because you love her.”
“How about you?” she murmured.
He tipped his head to the side. “Are you asking me if I did what I did because I love you?”
Her chest tightened. Hearing him say it again felt like the sun warming her skin.
“You spent an hour with me trying to explain to my mom all about my bad decisions. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”
He chuckled. “You don’t get it do you?” he asked her.
“Get what?”
He tucked his finger under her chin, lifting it up until her lips were a breath away from his. “That I’d do anything for you. Fight dragons, put on armor. Chase goats that steal your underwear.”
“Are you calling my mom a dragon?” she teased, because he wasn’t that far off.
“I’m just telling you that you don’t have to worry. It’s not a chore trying to win you over. I’m going to keep doing it every day of my life.”
Her breath caught. “I thought you said you weren’t good with words.”
“Maybe I’m trying to change that, too.” He brushed his warm lips against hers. “Tell me, what you said earlier. Is it true?”
“Which part?” she asked, trying to ignore the way her heart was pounding as he slid his arms down her sides to hold her waist. His hands were strong, she could feel the warmth of him through the thin fabric separating his skin and hers.
“The part about loving me.”
