Page 111 of From This Moment (After We Fall 4)
Margot rolled her eyes. “So tacky. Do not pay those people any mind.”
“I could probably tune them out, but Lenore is a little louder.” I explained what had happened with Abby and Wes at the breakfast table, and their eyes grew wide.
“Wow,” said Georgia. “We should have asked for a double shot in your drink.”
“I totally panicked I was the world’s worst mother, and then Lenore basically made me feel that way when I went over there to get Abby. And she suggested that I don’t really love Wes, that I was just substituting him for Drew. And that he doesn’t really love me, he just likes to take care of people with wounds.”
Margot raised one sculpted eyebrow. “There’s a word I’d like to call her, but I won’t.”
“But wait, there’s more.” I took a drink before continuing with the birthday dinner, the kissing episode at school, and the conversation with Wes Monday night. “And that was the last time I spoke to him.”
“Holy shit.” Georgia sat back. “That is a lot to deal with. No wonder you’re not okay.”
Propping my elbows on the table, I rested my forehead on my hands. “I don’t know what to do, you guys. I’m in love with him, but it’s hopeless.”
“Why are you so convinced it can’t work?” Margot was looking at me curiously. “I totally get that it won’t be easy, and you’re definitely having a really bad week, but why is it hopeless?”
I dropped my eyes to the napkin under my drink. “I don’t know. It’s just how I feel.”
“Is it his mother?”
“Mostly,” I admitted. “She’s never going to accept us. I know her.”
“So what?” Georgia shrugged. “That will be her loss, won’t it? If Wes loves you, he’ll choose you.”
“But he didn’t,” I said, tears filling my eyes. “He didn’t choose me, remember? He told Lenore she could have him to herself on his birthday, even though he said he wants me to be there. And I know it’s just one night, but it’s an important night in all our lives, because it was Drew’s birthday too. She’s doing this on purpose to hurt me, and he’s letting her.”
Margot sighed. “Men can be so clueless. Did you tell him how you felt?”
“Not exactly.”
“Well, maybe you should. Maybe he doesn’t realize how much it hurt your feelings.”
“But I’m afraid.” I didn’t want to ruin my eye makeup, but tears began to fall. “What if he still sides with her? What if he doesn’t love me enough? What if I jinxed myself the moment I fell for him?”
Georgia looked confused. “Jinxed yourself?”
“Yes. After I lost Drew, I swore that I’d never love anyone like that again. Because it tricks you. It makes you feel like you can do anything, but secretly it makes you weak.” The tears were really flowing now, and I dug in my purse for a tissue.
“Love makes you vulnerable,” Margot said. “There’s a difference. Here.” She handed me a handkerchief with a little monogrammed M on it.
“Thanks.” I cleaned up my face the best I could, soiling the white cotton with snot and tears and mascara. “Can I keep this and give it back after I wash it?”
“Of course. I have tons.”
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I dabbed at my eyes again. “I hate to be so fatalistic about love. But I can’t help it. After what I’ve been through, I don’t know any other way to be. And I feel like all the bad things happening to me are giant signposts saying, Warning! Danger ahead! Turn back now! Point of no return!”
Margot sighed. “Have I ever told you how hard Jack fought me when we first met?”
“No.”
“Oh boy,” said Georgia, picking up her drink.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve heard that Jack was married before me. Her name was Stephanie, and she was killed by a drunk driver shortly after they were married.”
