Page 111 of Make Mine Sweet
“Yeah!” August bounces on his knees on the big float, holding onto his life jacket.
They swim a little distance away from me, looping him into their game and taking his mind off of Ian.
I guess everyone knows about the real reason behind lake day.
Wren swims closer to me. I hate the concern on her face—she’s supposed to be a sassy spitfire teasing me for being a stick in the mud, not a worried sister checking in on my broken heart.
“When are you going to talk to Mom?”
Oh. I lost my momentum for that conversation after I…did what I did with Ian. I don’t know how to describe it. Smashed my own happiness in order to avoid worse heartbreak in the future? Doesn’t feel like such a hot bargain right now.
“I have some time. Charlie won’t be ready to start hosting weddings for a couple of months.”
“If you keep putting it off, I’m afraid you’ll back out entirely.”
It’s crossed my mind. However this shakes out, I’ll be rocking the boat at the family business. And as I reminded myself this week, I’m not good at staying afloat. Dry land is best for me. I can be happy making pies and cupcakes. The status quo isn’t so bad.
“Don’t give up on this,” she says gently. “Don’t be like Mom and put off your own happiness for literal decades.”
I dip my head under the water, washing away fresh tears.
“I’m trying to preserve my happiness, Wren.”
She shakes her head, bobbing in the lake. “Not this way. Not by never risking a little heartache.”
“It’s nota little,” I choke out.
I paddle a few strokes until she’s behind me. Pulling away from Ian has left a visceral pain beneath my ribs. I knew I’d gotten in over my head, but I didn’t realize I was this close to the bottom. Every day we don’t talk on the back patio is a fresh ache, every night we don’t share a few moments together a new cut. I hate every minute of it.
But doesn’t that prove this is for the best? Better to get out now before I’m in any deeper. Better to spare August from caring even more for someone we can’t keep.
All thosebettersdon’t bring me any comfort.
Wren swims back into my line of sight. “Hey. I’m here for you no matter what.”
“I know.”
She tries for a smile. “I push because I care.”
“I know that, too.”
Past her, August and Hope shout at Lila and Grant, who seem to be making out in the water a short distance away. They tone it down, but barely.
“They’re so cute together.” And not just because the man truly is an Adonis sculpted by Michelangelo himself. They haven’t known each other long, but it’s obvious their affection goes beyond any casual acquaintance. They really seem to bring out the best in each other and want the other’s happiness.
It’s both adorable and selfishly painful to watch.
“He’s going back to Texas soon, though,” Wren says.
“I guess Lila can handle the heartbreak.” Not sure how, after everything she’s been through. She’s a lot braver than I am.
“Or she knows whatever time they have together will be worth the risk.”
Wren’s pointed look cuts just as sharp as her words.
Risk. Caution. Here, both paths lead to heartache.
“I think you’re giving up too soon,” she tells me.
