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“But if you trust him, then you should tell him.”
“You don’t have to fix my problems for me,” Amelia said. “Just like you didn’t before we went on this trip. Honestly, this reminds me of when I was a kid and you would have a manic episode.”
Her mom sighed. “Yes. It’s very similar to that. I’ve had mini ones since reducing my dosage, but I’m not as dizzy, so that’s a bonus. I’m sorry. I know I was overbearing before, but I just want you to be happy.”
“You don’t worry about John like you do me. At least about relationships. You respect that he doesn’t want one. So why not me?”
“Because you planned your wedding when you were four. You watched romantic comedies every day in high school. So when one day you said you were done with dating, I knew something bad had happened. And that something is still affecting you.”
Amelia bit her lip. Her mom’s observations were exactly right. She used to live for romance. She used to want a life partner and constantly daydreamed about her wedding.
And now, she couldn’t think about it without getting sick.
“But . . . I’m getting too involved,” she said. “I know that. I just miss the bright-eyed, hopeful Amelia.”
“Me too,” she muttered.
“My only hope is that you find someone who is as understanding for you as your dad is for me.”
Amelia nodded. “We’ll see. Tell me about your decrease in medication. I’d love to hear more.”
Her mother accepted the change of topic easily enough, and Amelia was grateful. It was nice to hear why she’d needed an adjustment and how she was feeling now.
They got their drinks, plus one for Daniel. They went back up to the room and Amelia found that he had woken up and was freshly showered. He sat on the couch rather than sequestered in their room as he had for most of their trip.
“Hey,” she greeted. “I got you a tea.”
Daniel smiled. “I appreciate that. I could almost go for a coffee. I’m exhausted.”
“How late were you up?”
“Way too late, but I can’t seem to sleep in no matter what I do.” Daniel took a sip of the tea.
“What made you stay up late?”
And was it her?
“Nothing major. I was up talking to your dad, actually.”
“He said something about that,” her mom said. “I tried to wake him up, but he muttered something about families in comedies.”
“Yeah, we watched some TV too.”
“Glad you two had fun,” her mom said. “I think I’m going to try and wake him up again and go for a walk on the beach. Do you two have any plans for the day?”
“I was thinking about going to the pool,” Daniel said.
“I’m up for that,” Amelia replied. “It’s early, so it shouldn’t be too busy.”
Chapter Sixteen
Daniel
Out at the pool, Daniel’s phone rang the moment he took off his shirt.
Amelia’s eyes slid to his screen. “Is that . . . Lucinda?”
“Looks like it. I should probably take this, or else she’ll keep trying.” He grabbed the phone and stepped away, ignoring the feeling of Amelia’s eyes following him.
