me. He says he likes our line but it’s ‘not the right time.’ It’s like he’s dangling a carrot and I can’t get a bite.”
“That is so frustrating.”
My phone beeps, telling me I’ve got another call. I check the screen. It’s Mom.
“Hey, Penn? Can I get back to you later? My mom’s calling, and I’ve not gotten to talk to her for a few days.”
“Sure. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I hang up and instantly answer the call from my mom. “Hey, Mom. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m great, honey. How’s life as a soon-to-be Lady? Is it everything you hoped for?”
I think of Geraldine’s obvious disapproval of me. I think of my schoolgirl giggling fit at the opera. I think of Heather McCabe not wanting me on the show.
I’m not going to tell my mom any of that.
“It’s great, Mom. Really great.”
“I am so happy for you, honey. You deserve all the happiness you can get. Now, where are my photos? I want to see the house, I want to see you and Sebastian together, and I especially want to see Frank frolicking in some gorgeous meadow somewhere.”
“That I can do. Frank does love a good frolic.”
“With you taking Frank with you, it all feels so…final.” I think I detect a note of sadness in her voice.
“Final how?”
“As in that’s it, you’ve moved to England. End of story.”
“I’ll be back to visit. You know I will.”
“I know, it’s just—” She breaks off as her voice cracks.
Concern twists inside me. “Mom?”
“It’s nothing, honey. I’m being emotional, that’s all. My only baby is far away from me for the first time. But you know what? Everything’s fine, and you’re following your heart. I could not be happier for you.”
“Are you sure? I’m worried about you now.”
“Don’t be. It must be my dang hormones or something,” she says with a laugh. “Now, how’s work going? Have you got your label humming over there yet?”
I exhale. “I’m not sure the British are ready for Timothy. No one will take a meeting, let alone stock the line. It’s kinda demoralizing.”
“You’re not one to feel beat. Remember what your dad always said? Never give up until the thing is done or dead.”
I smile at the memory. That was something Dad and I had in common, relentless pursuit of something until either we achieved it or knew it was never meant to be ours in the first place. “Good old Dad.”
“He’d be so proud of you.”
I feel a sting of sadness at his loss. “I know he would, Mom.”
“So don’t you go giving up. Someone will want your label, and then it’ll snowball. You mark my words.”
“I hope you’re right, Mom. I hope you’re right. Now, tell me what’s going on in H-town.”
As Mom shares news of friends and family, to my surprise my eyes prick with tears. Although being with Sebastian is a dream come true and he means the world to me, I miss my mom and the familiar surrounds of my home. There I know how things are done. There I know that I belong.
As hard as I might try, and as much as I might want it, it hurts to know I don’t yet have that here.
Chapter 11
There’s a knock at the open door to our bedroom, and I glance in the mirror to see Zara standing in the doorway wearing a simple black dress, her dark hair in a messy side-ponytail that looks totally gorgeous on her. She does look like the British actress Gemma Arterton, after all, so practically everything looks gorgeous on this girl.
I rush over to her and give her a hug. “Zara, it’s so good to see you. How’s life in London?”
“Busy but fun. It’s nice to be home, though. Seb tells me he’s getting all the ducks in a row to open the house.”
“He’s been working really hard on it.”
“He also told me we’re not doing the TV show now. What gives?”
“Yeah. Sore topic. I want him to do it, but he’s against it because the production company doesn’t want ‘the little contestant that could’ in it.”
She leans up against one of the bed posts. “The what?”
“Me. I’m the little contestant that could, apparently. According to Heather McCabe, I’m not the right fit for Sebastian’s fiancée.”
“But you are Sebastian’s fiancée.”
“Semantics.” I turn to face the mirror once more. “She wanted Jilly to pose as his fiancée. Can you believe?”
“Seriously? That’s ridiculous.”
“I know, right?” I slide my lipstick over my lips and smack them together. “I think Seb should do