Page 34 of Holly Jolly Heat
"Ro? What you said about your grandmother. About choosing her art sometimes. Did that hurt your grandfather? When she chose her work over pack?"
"Sometimes. But he understood. Because loving someone means accepting all of them, not just the parts that make you comfortable."
"And if I need to choose my business? If the professional side has to come first?"
"Then we accept that. And we wait. However long it takes."
"You keep saying that."
"Because I mean it.Wemean it. You're worth waiting for, Michelle. However long, whatever it takes. We're not going anywhere."
Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because six months ago, I read an email from you about lighting equipment, and you made a terrible pun that made me laugh. And every email after that, I looked forward to your messages a little more. Waited for your name in my inbox a littlemore eagerly. Reread your words a little more carefully. I was falling for you before I ever met you, Michelle. Meeting you just confirmed what I already knew."
"Which is?"
"You're my omega. Our omega. And that doesn't go away just because it's complicated."
Michelle got in the car without responding, and I followed. The drive back was quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable. More like we were both processing, thinking, feeling.
When we pulled into the farmhouse driveway, Michelle turned to me before I could open the door.
"Thank you," she said. "For showing me that possibility."
"Anytime."
"Ro? I'm still scared. This doesn't mean I'm not scared."
"Being brave doesn't mean not being scared. It means being scared and doing it anyway."
She smiled and it reached her eyes, crinkling the corners. "Maya said something similar. About bravery being doing things even when you're terrified."
"Your sister's smart."
"She's sixteen and thinks she knows everything."
"So... smart teenager. Got it."
Michelle laughed, and I counted it as a victory.
We headed inside to find Lucas and Dex at the kitchen table with Janet, apparently discussing content strategy. Josh was showing Dex something on his phone. Maya was making notes on a pad of paper.
"There you are!" Janet said brightly. "How was location scouting?"
"Productive," I said, meeting Michelle's eyes across the kitchen. "Very productive."
Michelle's cheeks flushed slightly, but she was smiling.
"Good. Because I was thinking, you boys should help with the Christmas decorations. Michelle always helps Bill with the lights on the Douglas fir. Perfect opportunity for some bonding."
"Mom," Michelle warned.
"What? I'm not meddling. I'm facilitating."
"That's literally the same thing."
But I could see Michelle wasn't actually upset. More resigned to her mother's schemes.
