Page 92 of Rejected Heart
“What?”
“Maybe the thing you went chasing after was here all along, Layla,” my mom said softly. “My story isn’t yours. There was never a time when you were with Liam that you weren’t over the moon. I was so glad you’d found him, and it devastated me when you walked away from him. He’s not a man who would ever look down upon you for whatever you decided to do with yourself. Beyond that, you had an idea about how your life would turn out. Things didn’t go the way you planned, and you can admit that it now feels like it was a mistake to do at least part of what you did. Realize that for what it is and give up the thoughts you have about what you believe should have happened. It didn’t. And that’s okay. But what you do now is going to determine whether you finally have the chance to heal from this, or if you’re going to feel stuck and miserable for the rest of your life. You’re my daughter. I love you. So, I hope you’re going to choose to heal and be happy.”
I hated to think that she was right. Not about Liam never looking down on me. I think, in a way, I always knew that was the case. But to think I’d destroyed our relationship and kept us apart from one another all those years, when with him was where I was meant to be all along, killed me.
If only I had found that career. Then I would have had something to show for all the heartbreak I’d put the both of us through.
“You really think I should go to the party?”
She nodded, her features softening. “Absolutely. I think you should go and have a wonderful time. And I think you need to stop worrying about everything. Just do what makes you happy.”
I inhaled deeply before the rush of air left my lungs. Then I stood and said, “Wish me luck.”
She grinned at me. “You don’t need it. But good luck.”
Feeling slightly more reassured, I picked up the gift for Liam’s niece, said goodbye to my mom, and left.
By the time I got to my car, the pep talk had worn off, and I was a bundle of nerves and fear all over again.
But I didn’t let that deter me. I drove off to the lake house, doing it in silence and hoping I’d be able to clear my head before I arrived. It was difficult to come up with any sort of plan for how to engage or interact with anyone when I arrived, since I had no clue what I’d find when I got there.
I suspected some of them were now married, so assuming I didn’t get kicked out by the man I loved, it was likely I was going to be meeting some new people at the same time I got reacquainted with those I hadn’t seen in years.
God, I hoped this wouldn’t be a disaster.
When I pulled up at the house, I wasn’t surprised to see so many cars there. If there was one thing I knewabout this family, one thing that I had suspected would never change, it was that they knew how to celebrate, and they did it often.
I parked, exited my vehicle, and began the walk toward the house. The closer I got, the sound of voices and laughter filled the air. My heart squeezed as I recalled the times that I’d visited the lake house with Liam years ago. It had always been such fun, and it was safe to say I was already feeling a bit of nostalgia.
Oh, to have the chance to go back and do it all over again…
Based on what I knew about the Westwood family, it was likely everyone was already outside, so if I went to the front door and knocked, I’d be waiting there a long time before someone would answer, if at all.
So, I moved toward the side of the house, preparing to round it and head into the backyard. Calling it a backyard felt silly, especially when the land seemed to go on forever in either direction and even out for quite a distance from the house until it reached the lake.
I’d always loved this place. Every time I’d come here with Liam when we were teenagers, I thought about how lucky they were to have this property. Liam’s grandparents were the owners, but I didn’t doubt this home would stay in this family for generations.
And the memories they’d make, the memories they’d likely already made, would be irreplaceable.
Slowly, I crept around the back corner of the house, and while the sounds of the family floated in my direction, it was the stunning landscaping that caught my eye first.I’d forgotten how much Wendy Westwood, the matriarch of the family, loved her flowers. I might have taken longer to inspect the beautiful blooms, if my heart wasn’t pounding at the thought of who I’d spot first, who’d see me first.
My eyes drifted away from the flowers and to my right. I’d taken a few more steps in that direction when I finally came to a grinding halt.
Because there he was.
Liam.
Even though I saw him a few weeks ago, this was different. He was crouched in the middle of the open yard, his arms extended, and Cooper’s daughter was taking unsteady steps in his direction.
For as long as I lived, I would never forget the look of pure adoration and pride in Liam’s expression. Cooper told me that Liam was Roselle’s favorite, and if I had to guess, I’d say he felt the same about her in return.
My free hand flew to my throat, where I massaged it to ease the ache that had formed.
No matter who else was around, I couldn’t tear my attention away from Liam and that breathtaking smile on his face. That was how I’d remembered him.
Happy. Always so happy.
And seemingly without a care in the world.
