Page 53 of Changed By You
My heart races as it sets in that she’s really here, at my parents’ home. It’s nothing like the mansions she owns.
“How’s your dad doing?” she asks.
I’m too stunned to answer for a second. Farrah has never asked howIwas doing, let alone one of my family members.
“He’s home. Still himself inside and able to communicate with us.”
She nods. “Good. I brought these for him.”
She’s dressed in black leggings and a plain, lightweight white T-shirt, her long blond hair flowing out of the back of a baseball cap. This is how she dresses for plane flights, and she also has on the big sunglasses that help disguise her a bit. It looks like she’s not wearing makeup, which is rare for her.
“Do you want to come inside?”
She hesitates. “I don’t want to intrude. But could we maybe...talk out here for a little bit?”
I step aside. “You’re not intruding. Come in.”
Nodding, she steps in, taking in my parents’ small, cozy living room that’s swallowed up by a couch and two recliners. Photos of me and Will growing up line the walls. An afghan made decades ago by my grandma is folded neatly and hung over the back of the worn couch they’ve had since I was a kid.
Dalton comes in from the kitchen, his gaze shooting between me and Farrah.
“Hey, Farrah,” he says in a neutral tone.
“Hey. Can I give these to you?”
“Yeah.” He comes over and takes the vase of flowers. “You want a chicken salad sandwich? Or a drink?”
I love that he’s so comfortable here. And that even though he’s pissed at Farrah, he seems to know how much pride she had to swallow to show up here.
“I’m good, thanks.”
He nods, looking at me. “I’ll be upstairs.”
Farrah sits down on one end of the couch, and I sit down on the other end. It’s weird. Having the two parts of my life that have always been so separate colliding out of nowhere.
“I owe you an apology, Alice.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I know Dalton said some things, but I knew what working for you meant, and you’ve been very generous with money. It’s changed my family’s lives.”
She shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes as she smiles sadly. “It’s so like you to let me off the hook. But Dalton was right. I spent the rest of my time on the show thinking about our relationship.”
“So you’re done with filming?”
She nods. “Spoiler alert--I didn’t end up with anyone. You can’t tell anyone that, of course, because of the NDAs we signed.”
“I won’t.”
She breaks out into the dazzling smile that has graced many movie posters. “I think Misty and Dom are going to end up married. Who saw that coming?”
I get a warm feeling as I remember the sweet gymnast who deserves all the happiness in the world from what I can see. “Good for Misty.”
She sighs heavily. “Guess it’s obvious I’m new to apologizing.”
I close the distance between us, a lump in my throat as I cover her hand with one of mine.
“I thought you’d hate me for leaving. If you don’t, we’re good.”
Her gaze falls to her lap, where a tear drops onto the back of my hand. “I could never hate you, Alice. You’re my best friend. I...” Her voice wavers and she clears her throat. “I love you.”
