“Do you want me to kick his ass? You know that I can,” Mel said bluntly as she reached over and took a hash brown off Sophie’s plate and popped it into her mouth.
“No. I just want to move on and learn from my mistake.” Sophie sighed. She pushed her plate away and leaned back in her chair.
“Was that Lucinda bitch involved, because I would love to take her down?”
“All I want is for you to tell me what John said when he called.” Sophie rested her chin in her hands.
Mel sat up straighter, a brilliant smile on her face. “John said that the investor he has been in contact with is keen on investing in our business. We just have to put a proper business proposal together and then he plans to finance it completely. John wants to meet with us to go over the details but this is perfect for us. We can get started right away. Nothing can stop us now.”
“That is amazing.” Sophie felt a real smile touch her lips. This was just what she needed to distract her. She would focus everything on establishing their company and eventually she hoped that her heart would heal.
“The more you love them the harder it is to let them go. That’s how I know I have never been in love yet because I was always glad to walk out when the time comes.”
“What about Dustin?” Sophie furrowed her brow. “I thought you guys were a thing?”
“Maybe…he wants to take it slow and see how things go.” Mel let out a long slow breath. “When I’m with him I feel really good but he’s too…”
“Safe?” Sophie added with a raised brow.
Mel smiled and shook her head. “Yeah…it’s strange for a guy not to want to jump my bones as soon as he can. It makes me question if he’s really into me. Does that seem weird?”
“You’re used to idiots, so of course it will be strange to be with someone who’s looking for more than a free ride, but you have to want to be with him for it to work.”
“I really like him and maybe that’s what’s making me nervous. I keep waiting for him to turn on me or something. He took me out to eat the other night and he didn’t expect anything in return. I’m not used to it.”
“That’s what you need and deserve, Mel. You need to get used to it. No more losers from loser town. That was the old Mel. You are now a businesswoman with standards. No more turning back now.”
Mel reached over and grabbed Sophie’s hand. “You’re the best friend in the whole world.”
“I know.” Sophie squeezed back tightly.
“We are all colors of messed up, you know. I don’t know how to recognize a good man when I see them and you’re scared to let yourself fall in love, so you run away from it even when it comes in the hottest package known to man.”
“But we’re going to make the best business partners,” Sophie encouraged.
“Damn fucking right. Let’s kick it.” Mel jumped to her feet. “We have lots of shit to do before we can start selling our cookies.” She winked.
***
Sophie felt drastically better when her mother arrived that afternoon. She knew there was no way she could hide it from her. The truth of her broken heart was written all over her.
“Sophie, darling! This is the most beautiful dress.” Her mother’s face lit up as she looked down at the dress; the fit was almost perfect as her mother spun around in front of the full height mirror in Sophie’s apartment. Her mother ran her fingers over the material and her smile shone brighter than the sun. Sophie placed a couple of pins into the material for some minor adjustments but she was very pleased how well it fit. Tears started to fall from her mother’s shining eyes. “I love you so much. This is more than I ever imagined.” She gathered Sophie in her arms and squeezed tight. “Are you going to tell me why you’re so sad?” her mother whispered in Sophie’s ear as she kept her arms secure around her shoulders. She pulled back and looked into Sophie’s eyes that were also filled with tears.
“Mom? How do you know that it is different with Peter than with all the others?” Sophie kept her hands busy fussing with her mother’s dress. When her question left her lips her mother reached for her hands.
“There are no guarantees in life but I know that my heart wants to be with him even with the risk. He makes me happy and I want to spend whatever time that I can by his side. All I can do is hope that we will have the rest of our lives together.”
“Don’t you think it would be easier not to risk it? Why would you want to give someone so much power over your life? What if your heart gets broken and you can’t put the pieces back together again?”
Her mother tucked Sophie’s hair behind her ear before lifting Sophie’s chin to look into her eyes. “It doesn’t mean that you give someone power over you. It’s opening up your heart to someone and finding a connection. To find meaning in our lives that makes us happy and stronger. I like my life with love even if it meant I had to suffer many failed attempts. If you don’t take the risk because you’re scared of getting hurt, then you could miss out on something beautiful. Our hearts are strong, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Don’t cheat yourself because you are afraid.”
“What if I can never really forgive Ashton for what he and Lucinda did to me? What if I can’t get past it? Seeing him with Lucinda makes me feel like the vulnerable girl I was back in high school. I run as fast as I can in the opposite direction, literally. I’m just waiting for them to reveal this has been a joke the entire time but…when he looks at me I feel loved. He makes me feel alive.”
“I wish I had the answer for you. I don’t like how he treated you. I hate that he made you suffer but if you love him you have to figure out if it’s worth the risk to make it work. Eventually you have to stop running and face it. You are no longer that little girl anymore. You are a strong, independent woman. Take control of your life.”
“You’re right.” Sophie hugged her mother tightly; the comfort of her mother’s embrace was exactly what she needed. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, baby girl, more than you will ever know.” Her mother held her. “You are my favorite person in this whole world and I don’t like seeing you sad.”
“I’m gonna be okay.” Sophie wiped her eyes. “I like this more mature version of you, Mom.”
“It was about time, don’t you think? I only wish I could have made the debut years ago.” Her mother squeezed her hand. “It would have helped my mothering skills.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Sophie insisted. “Mel and I have some good news for you.”
“It’s about time this sappy love fest was over,” Mel piped in. Sophie laughed because she noticed Mel’s watery eyes. “And don’t worry, she’s not gonna tell you that we’re lesbian lovers.” Mel smiled evilly.
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh and her mother followed suit. Laughing felt good, she wanted to find her happiness again.
Her mother listened excitedly as the two of them told her of their business plan and the immediate plans for the cookie café. Sophie’s mother’s reaction was encouraging as she asked questions. Sophie and Mel planned to spend the rest of the day finishing the business proposal for the investor and organize the renovations that had to take place. Dustin’s brother, Christian, was a contractor and agreed to take on the project. The plumbing did not need to be altered and only minor electrical was required to acquire proper outlets for their equipment.
“And your job at the restaurant? And with Mrs. Darcy?” Sophie’s mother asked.
“I’ll give my notice at the restaurant once our financing is official and my job with Margaret is flexible.”
“I am proud of you girls. This is exciting and you seem to have all your bases covered. I hope to be your first customer.”
When Sophie’s mom left, her spirits were considerably lifted. It was nice to focus on something other than the upheaval within her heart.
Sophie and Mel spent the rest of the afternoon making phone calls to confirm their numbers before sending their final business plan to John. When they were finished, Sophie called Margaret to get an update. Margaret was excited to announce that Ashton was on the way to take her home. Sophie made plans to meet her at her house. She was planning to stay with Margaret for a couple of days until she was healed, taking a couple days off work from the restaurant. Hearing Margaret speak Ashton’s name brought an ache to her chest. She hoped that she wouldn’t run into him because she knew how difficult it would be. She wasn’t ready yet.