Chapter 41

 

 

 

Afton

 

 

I swing open the door to my apartment expecting to see Joel. He’s not there.

I take a step back. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

My mom glances at my dad before she smiles. “We wanted to surprise you.”

Mission accomplished.

If I had known they were on their way over, I would have at least tried to look presentable.

I’m wearing a pair of jean cut-offs, a pink tank top, and an apron covered in the makings of a chocolate cake for Nelson.

It’s his favorite.

It’s my way of thanking him for his sage advice about love.

“Come in.” I step aside to motion for them to enter because I can’t exactly shut the door in their faces.

It’s only when they cross the threshold to my home that I notice something is different.

My dad is dressed down in a pair of dark jeans and a short-sleeved light blue button-down shirt. My mom is wearing a sundress I’ve never seen her in before. On her feet are leather sandals with worn straps.

Are these people really my parents?

I take a deep breath as I turn to face them. “How have you been?”

My mom breaks down first. Her hand darts to her mouth as a loud sob escapes her. “Oh, Afton.”

“Mom.” I reach for her but pull my hand back because I don’t know what she needs from me.

Maybe they are here to disown me or tell me to change my surname because I’ve caused them enough humiliation.

My dad finally speaks. “We were wrong.”

What?

My gaze darts to his face. “What did you say, Dad?”

He rushes at me, gathering me in his arms for a hug. It’s what I’ve longed for since I ran out of the church.

My mom joins in, standing next to us both, she swings an arm around my shoulder. “We were wrong.”

I soak in those words and the gravity of them.

I have a place in this blame game, so I toss myself into the mix. “I’m sorry too.”

“For what?” My mom steps back. “For having the courage to follow your heart? For being brave enough to know you deserve everything from the man you marry?”

Our embrace breaks, so I smooth my hands over my apron. “Warren wasn’t right for me.”

They nod at the same time.

“I should have told you both that I was having doubts before the wedding,” I confess. “I didn’t know if that was cold feet or more, but now I see that I knew deep down that marrying Warren wasn’t the right thing for me.”

“We’re proud of you.”

I turn to my dad and the words that I’ve been aching to hear. “You’re proud of me?”

He nods. “Very proud of you. Not just for what you did at the wedding, but your business and your kindness. You’re a true example of a good person, Afton. Your priorities are lined up as they should be.”

He holds out a hand to tap each finger. “You’re honest. You’re courageous. You’re generous. You’re creative, and you’re a teacher.”

I smile. “I’m not a teacher. Mom’s the teacher.”

My mom steps closer to me. “You’re the greatest teacher we’ve ever known. You taught us to reprioritize our lives.”

“How so?”

They share a smile and a wink with one another before turning back to face me. “We quit all the country clubs, told those people what we really thought of them, and we’re selling the penthouse and the summerhouse to hit the road.”

I can’t tell if they’re having a slightly past midlife crisis or if they are serious.

“You look shocked.” My dad pats my shoulder. “Do you think we enjoy hanging out with those people? They’re judgmental and catty.”

“They are your friends,” I point out.

“Were,” my mom corrects me. “We’re tired of trying to live up to their standards. It’s time for us to be who we want to be.”

“Who is that?” I question with a grin on my lips.

“Two people who are madly in love with each other and life.” They wrap their arms around each other as my dad continues his speech, “and who couldn’t be prouder of their daughter and son.”

I stare at them, stunned by their admission and excited for their future.

“We’ve made so many mistakes.” My dad leans his head against my mom’s shoulder. “Before your wedding day and after. Our time away has taught us what really matters.”

I’m tempted to bring up every time their words or actions have hurt me, but this is a fresh start. Luke’s words about only looking forward ring in my ears.

We can’t erase anything that’s happened before today. We can only learn from it.

“Tell us what you’ve been up to.” My mom wiggles her brows. “Is there anything new and exciting that you want to tell us?”

I trust Nelson enough to know that he wouldn’t have told my parents about Luke. I want them to know even though I can’t say for certain how they’ll react.

“Do you remember the man that ran into the church?”

“That good-looking hunk of a man who interrupted your wedding?” My mom asks with a glint in her eye.

My dad laughs. “I admit. That boy was a looker.”

I take a deep breath and smile. “I think I’ve fallen in love with him.”

They both hoot and holler, screaming words of encouragement about fate and possibilities. I stand in place, letting them shower me with kisses before taking me in for another tight embrace.

“Imagine what our grandchildren will say, Albert, when we tell them that their dad broke up their mom’s wedding just in time to steal her heart.”

I laugh at my mom’s words. “We’re not even close to the grandchildren stage yet.”

“In due time,” my dad kisses my cheek. “It will all happen in due time.”