Page 60 of The Perils of Pretending
Avery
Sometimes I worry about all of you...
Lucy
You’ve NEVER been kissed like that? That’s a freaking romance novel right there, Sadie. Forget science, marry the guy!The last time I was kissed like that I bought a ticket to Canada within a week [laugh face emoji]
Lucy, this is the only time where I’ll agree that your romantic heart may have a point…
Lucy
I have a feeling this time next week you may agree with my romantic heart more than one time [wink face emoji] What do you have to lose? Go for it! And share all the details ASAP
Dani
I’m picturing the romance novel now! Happily Ever After or Bust!
I’m all for getting my HEA, but he works at a school like my dad did. What if he gets killed too??
Chloe
I totally understand that concern, Sadie. So hard.
I want to keep kissing Max as much as possible for scientific research, but there was no advice about how to get over my fear. I’m not exactly sure what to do. There’s only one person who will understand.
I open the bathroom door, peeping my head out. “Mom!”
“Yeah?”
“Can you come here?”
Her light steps bounce up the stairs. The second she sees my face, she rushes inside the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She pulls me into her arms. “My heavens, Sadie. What is going on? Are you okay?” Her hand strokes the back of my head, just like when I was little.
I tell her all the thoughts running through my head about Max and show her the group chat with all the cousins. “What do I do?”
“You really like Max? After all these years of knowing him?”
I nod as tears trickle down my cheeks. “Yeah. I’m seeing him in a new light. But I’m scared.”
Mom cups my cheeks between her palms, looking me in the eye. “It’s okay to be scared. What’s not okay is for the fear to prevent you from chasing after what you want.”
“But how do I just let it go? It’s hard to ignore when I wake up every day without Dad.”
Mom’s eyes turn glassy. She sniffles. “Oh, baby girl, I know. It hurts. But you have to take a leap of faith and trust that it’s going to be okay. And if for some reason it’s not, know that you have people who love you enough to get you through the pain.”
I grab two tissues, passing one to Mom, keeping one for myself. “I’ve never been so confused and conflicted about a guy before.”
“You have plenty of time to figure things out between you and Max. There’s no rush. If you do decide he’s who you want for the rest of your life, you’ll find a way to choose him over your fear.”
Mom’s words soothe and heal the ache inside me. I have time. I don’t have to make a decision right this second. I hug Mom. “Thank you.”
“Any time, sweet pea.”
I pull back from Mom, swiping at my cheeks. “I’m going to freshen up for pictures. I’ll meet you downstairs in a little bit.”
Mom squeezes my shoulder. “I love you, baby girl. You’re going to be okay.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you, too.”
