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I think about it, but I'm unsure of how to answer. Andrew and I did talk, and came to an understanding. I don’t need anyone else to understand if he does.
“He forgave me,” I simplify our meeting. “I guess in the end, he understood why I did what I did.”
“It’s hard to forgive such, Penny.”
“Mom—” I stare pointedly at her, uncomfortable with her persistence. I know she cares about me and is only looking out for me, but all I need right now is her support.
“Mom,” I start again and force a smile. “Andrew is fine, I promise. We talked extensively, and he knows about me and Liam. He knew that’s why I left the church.”
“Wow.” Stacy stands from the swing and walks toward me, her arms outstretched. When her arms wrap around mine, I feel tears sting the back of my eyes. “I’m so happy for you, Penny,” she says. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you, Stace,” I whisper and squeeze her tightly.
She kisses my cheek and returns to the swing. Mom sighs. “Penny, you know I only want you to be happy, right? That’s the only thing I care about. If you’re happy, then I am happy.”
“I’m happy, Mom,” I cry. “I’m so happy. Liam makes me happy.”
My mom shakes her head and lets out a nervous laugh, but I can tell that her next words are sincere. “Then I wish you everything good.”
Stacy groans and leans her head on the swing chains. “Penny, your whole life is like a movie. Sean should probably make this into a sappy rom-com, and I’ll pay to watch.”
“What?” I laugh heartily. “What do you mean?”
“Only you would agree to marry one man, leave him at the altar—” she smiles to soften the blow. “—proceed to almost fall off a cliff, get saved magically by her high-school sweetheart and first love, who, by the way, is the reason she left her ex-fiancé at the altar to begin with. Start dating this same guy, and then get her ex-fiancé's blessings.” She sighs. “Only you, Penny.”
I laugh, pondering her words. I’ve never thought about it like that, but now that she’s mentioned it, I see how dramatic my life has been over the last couple of months. It’s been one heck of a ride.
“If you can find love after everything that’s happened,” she winks. “Then, I can, too.”
“Stacy, please.” I wave her off. “In order to find love you need to not work so much. How can you find love when your main focus is work?”
“She’s right,” Mom agrees. “You should go out more.”
“Not my mom and sister standing together in agreement.” Stacy shudders. “This is so scary.”
We all laugh, but then I remember a guy who frequents the library. “I can introduce you to someone,” I say slowly. “His name is Rick, and—”
Stacy groans and waves her arm. “No, no, please. I’m too busy. What kind of name is Rick, anyway?”
“Don’t shut her up!” Mom swats Stacy’s arm. “Hear her out.”
“Oh my goodness.” Stacy drops her head into her hands and groans.
“Rick is a firefighter,” I continue. “He stops at the library and is always grabbing thrillers. You know what they say about men who read?”
“No, I don’t,” Stacy sighs.
“A reading man is a romantic man.”
Stacy leaves the swing and hurries toward the front door. “I don’t want to hear anymore.”
“Come back here,” Mom yells, running after her. “We aren’t done talking about this.”
Laughing, I follow them into the house, feeling happy and like the weight of the world has finally been lifted from my shoulders.
Chapter 28
Liam
