Matched For Love(63)
Rachel’s expression turned smug. “Yes, we will.”
Lori shook her head. Rachel could be so damn sure of herself sometimes. “Speaking of a week, I’m already dreading seeing Deek and Annie next Saturday when I drop Emily off at Asher’s party. But I guess I’ll have to get used to it. For Emily’s sake.” She bumped her sister back. “This is the part where you offer to take Emily for me. Because you’re my bad-ass sister and would never be intimidated by any situation.”
“Can’t. Got plans.” Rachel stood and stretched her arms above her head. “I’m beat. Thanks for dinner. It was great. I’m starting to get into this eating-for-three biz.”
Plans? Rachel had said before dinner she was free to help with the house renovations next weekend. “What are you suddenly doing next Saturday?”
“It’s a surprise. One you’re going to thank me for. Big-time.” She started to walk away but then stopped. “For the next few days, you and I are going to focus on loving ourselves. To stop taking any part of the blame for things others have done to us. To own our decisions, good or bad, and accept we made the best ones we could at the time. Because you know what they say, you can’t fall in love until you love yourself. Good night.”
“Night, weirdo.” Geez. What had gotten into her sister? Must be pregnancy hormones. Lori picked up the remote again and searched for a movie to watch. She’d read the blurbs for fifteen until she found one that looked interesting. It was a classic called Pretty in Pink. The description read, Being from the “wrong side of the tracks” didn’t stop Andie from pursuing the guy she liked and going to the prom by herself. So what’s stopping you? Fear? Pffshh.
Fear?
She had her share of that. Was what Rachel said earlier true? When it came to men, was it fear of getting hurt that Lori was afraid of, or was it really the fear of making her own bad choices? She hadn’t chosen her cheater father. And after Mel’s confession, Lori was sure Joe would’ve never made that mistake again. He was truly sorry, and he’d loved her, so maybe she hadn’t chosen wrong there. And it was just a horrible twist of fate that Joe could never come home so they could’ve worked things out. Maybe had more kids.
She was a strong, independent woman. She had already proved she could withstand being hurt. A lot. But she did hate to make mistakes. Hated when she fell short of her own high standards. Especially lately, with her slew of over commitments. Maybe she needed to give herself a break. To love herself enough to know that no matter what choice she made or what the world or others did to her, she’d still be just fine.
It was a good plan, so now she was going to do something for herself for a change. Watch a movie of her choice, not Emily’s or her sister’s, and root for that girl to overcome her fears. And to get her guy.
And when the next Mr. Right came along for her, she’d be ready, and brave enough to get her own guy too. Screw fear. She was ready to fall in love again.
Well, after her heart healed, and she didn’t cry every time she thought of Deek, but after that, for sure.
17
VICTORIES RARELY COME CHEAP, BUT BOY, DO THEY TASTE SWEET.
On Friday afternoon, Emily strolled into the kitchen with Asher’s birthday present. “Mom, can you help me wrap this?”
“Sure. But I thought you wanted Aunt Rachel to help because she wraps prettier?” Lori refused to be insulted by that. Mostly because it was true. She had no time for perfect corners and symmetrically correct bows.
“I did. But then that Marcello guy called on her computer again, and they started talking in Italian. She told him to wait and then pushed me out of her room. I asked why I couldn’t stay because it isn’t like I could understand what they were saying anyway. She said because she didn’t want me to see anything inappropriate. What does that even mean?”
It probably meant her inappropriate sister was having video-chat sex. At least she was mending fences. “She has adult things to discuss with her boyfriend. That’s all. Here. Let’s see what we can do with that.”
Lori laid the awkward five-sided package on the nook table and wished she’d bought a gift bag while they were at the store. Or that they had bought a present that came in a rectangular box. “Scissors, please, nurse.”
Emily giggled and slapped the scissors in Lori’s hand. “Asher’s going to love this rubber band gun. I hope it’ll cheer him up.”
“Tape in little strips please.” Lori awkwardly rolled the gift in wrapping paper while Emily tore off little pieces of tape and stuck them to the tabletop. “Why is Asher sad?”