You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) - Melanie Jayne Page 0,15
come back and fit right in? That Finn would welcome you and he would invite you to a cook-out every Sunday?” Jasmine’s tone was harsh.
“But…” The enormity of the pain she’d caused hit her and it burned. She watched Jasmine’s face harden with emotion.
“You aren’t prepared. You know that in this town, gossip lives forever.”
How many times had she imagined her first meeting with Finn since the funeral? She’d hoped that he would assure her that things would be fine between them. He’d be magnanimous and let bygones be bygones.
“Finn is a man in the public eye, did you ever think that he is being scrutinized too?” Jasmine took a drink from the water bottle and stared angrily at Hale.
Why was everybody lecturing her about small town life? She knew all about it. Was Finn still fucked up because of what she did? The thought made her belly roll with nausea. No wonder he turned vicious. If he was still hurting, maybe if he could yell at her then he could move on. She wanted him to be over the past so that he could have a better life. She’d always hoped that Finn would find another, marry, and have kids. She’d heard that he’d dated many women over the years. She’d told herself that she was glad that he was moving on, that he had forgotten about her. She could not allow herself to hope that he might still care a little about her. Maybe want to get to know her again. Goddamnit, stop thinking like that. Wasn’t it obvious enough today that he still hates you for hurting him? She had to let go of that fantasy and move on. She could get by on her own. She had friends and would make more in time. She wouldn’t need to have love to have a full life. Right?
“What you say is true. I’m not prepared. I assumed that Finn would be distant but professional when it came to business. I didn’t think that he would throw the past in my face at the first opportunity he had.”
“Finn is a complex man. He is smart, but he also has a huge heart. I’m betting that he is kicking himself for upsetting you while at the same time he’s cussing you.”
Hale wanted to cry. “I know that. He is loyal and if he cares, he is invested. It was one of the qualities that I liked best about him.” God, it hurt to think about that.
“You know that you’re going to have to talk to him, about why you left and why you were so unhappy. He needs that in order to close that chapter.” Jasmine’s tone had softened.
“I told him that I would, but later. I need more time.” She’d always known that discussion would hurt, but now she knew it would be brutal. He would leave her bleeding when he was finished tearing her apart.
“It’s going to suck no matter when you do it.”
Jasmine was right. “I should have done it before. I’ve been wrong not to give him closure, if that’s what he wanted. Again, another selfish act that I perpetrated against him.” She hated that she had been so selfish. At first, she’d wanted to protect herself and she didn’t want to point out his flaws and hurt him more. Now, she simply wanted to put the past behind her. She was so tired of it always being there, weighing her down.
“Oh, honey, I don’t envy you when the time comes. Arguing with a lawyer is hard and Finn has had years to sharpen his tongue.”
“I deserve it, all of it.” Hale let out a long sigh. “Maybe if he can get it all out there won’t be this tension between us.”
“Well, don’t look for that to happen right away. After a fight with Izzy, it takes me a good long time to recover.”
Hale caught a note in Jasmine’s voice that surprised her. “You and Izzy don’t fight often, do you?”
Jasmine gave a weak smile. “All couples fight. Sometimes, I bite my tongue because I’m not prepared to argue with a man who is so skilled. I usually lose or get so beaten up that I feel like it was a loss.”
“Is being the perfect wife and mother hard?” Hale was curious.
“Yes.” Jasmine laughed. “I understand how you felt, how stifling it can be when nobody sees that you have changed.”
“You want something more.” Hale tried to shake off her feelings and pay attention to what