Her aunt was delighted to hear from Sasha, if a bit surprised. After her trip to Sedona, the one Sasha had regretfully declined to join her on, Linda had headed to New Mexico to visit family, and was staying with her sister in Taos for a few more days.
"So what gives, niná?" inquired Linda. "I know you wouldn't be calling me here unless there was something wrong."
Sasha sighed. "I never could fool you when something was bothering me. Guess that hasn't changed, huh? Matthew came to see me today, Tia. With signed and notarized divorce papers in hand."
"Ah." Linda's tone of voice indicated she now knew exactly why Sasha had called. "And he wants you back, of course. But you're hesitating. Why?"
Sasha told her all of it - how Hayley and Lindsey had devised their elaborate hoax, then how Casey had found out about the ruse and told his father; how Matthew hadn't hesitated to turn the tables and use Lindsey's deception against her as leverage to finally get his divorce; and how Matthew had offered to get on his knees and beg Sasha to return to him.
Linda chuckled. "You should have taken him up on his offer, Sasha. At least to see if he would have really done it."
"You know I don't have it in me to be vindictive that way, Tia," admonished Sasha. "As it was, I was awfully hard on him. But not for the sake of being mean. I honestly, truly don't know if I'm ready for a relationship like that."
"You were ready a few months ago," chided Linda. "You were all set to move in with him, take the next step in your relationship. And then all hell broke loose with his daughter. Matthew must be so hurt by what she did."
"Yes. Hurt and disappointed. It's going to take some time for the two of them to rebuild their relationship. But he's a good father, and loves both of his children very much. Eventually he and Hayley will make their peace and figure out where they go from here."
"In the meanwhile, where are you and Matthew going from here?" asked Linda pointedly. "And what's your real reason for holding back, niná? Is it because you're that pissed off at him, or are you just afraid of getting hurt again?"
Sasha shut her eyes, gently massaging her temple. "Maybe a little of both," she admitted. "Though more the latter than the former. It's hard to stay angry at Matthew for very long, you know. Especially since seeing him today made me realize how much I still love him."
"Then I fail to see the problem, Sasha. If you love the man, then go be with him. Have some trust in your love, and in human nature. I know that what happened to you back in high school made it almost impossible for you to trust people. But not everyone is a rotten louse like that family. By the way, I understand additional charges have been filed against Riley. Seems like you weren't his only victim, and now that his parents can't protect him and get charges dismissed, some of those other women are coming out of the shadows and speaking up. He'll be in jail for decades."
Sasha knew she should have felt a sense of satisfaction, or relief, but instead she just felt numb at hearing this news. "It's what he deserves," was all she said in response.
"Yes, it most assuredly is," stated Linda. "Just like you and Matthew deserve to be happy. Together. Both of you have had your share of bad times, but it doesn't have to be that way anymore. He's a good man, Sasha, and he's crazy about you. So open your heart to him, hmm? And don't allow what happened more than a dozen years ago to keep controlling your life. It's time to move on, niná, and you'll never find anyone better than Matthew to do that with."
Linda's parting words kept repeating themselves in Sasha's head for the rest of the evening, and she knew deep down that it was perhaps the purest truth she'd ever heard. But despite that realization, she was still no closer to making a decision then she'd been earlier today.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sasha could feel the slight trembling in her biceps as she continued to hold the challenging eka pada galavasana or flying pigeon pose. The advanced arm balance posture called for her to bend one leg at an angle, then rest the shin on her triceps, before lifting the other leg off the floor. It required both arm and core strength, as well as tremendous concentration. She held the pose for long seconds before gracefully dismounting and stepping back into downward dog.
She had been so focused on holding the pose that she hadn't heard the door to the small studio opening, and it wasn't until someone began applauding that she realized she wasn't alone. A bit annoyed at this interruption, she glanced sideways to see Willow hovering in the doorway.