Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,32
gotten back to town.”
Addie looked up and didn’t miss the darkening in Catherine’s eyes that those words brought, but still she remained silent, listening. “So when Marc pulled the ring out of his pocket and got down on one knee and said he loved me, I panicked. It felt too much like I was going backward.” Addie glanced at her ring-free left hand. “Then I thought about Simon, who was only a friend at the time, but he was so different. When I was with him, he seemed to bring out the best in me and didn’t try to change me into who he wanted me to be. I wasn’t ready to give that up. I needed to see where that went. If I said yes to Marc, it wouldn’t have been fair to him or me or Simon. So I pulled away.”
Catherine leaned closer, her voice nearly a whisper. “Can I be honest with you?”
“Yes, please. That’s what I need right now.”
Catherine drew in a deep breath through her nose, straightened her shoulders, and clasped Addie’s hand in hers. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not making excuses for his . . . sometimes abrupt behavior, but just so you know from someone who has known him his whole life, Marc has a hard time with expressing emotions like other people do. It’s partly because of his job and training and partly because of his past with Lacey. Right or wrong, he’s developed the ability to put his feelings in boxes and compartmentalize them.” Her fingers tightened around Addie’s. “I never thought he was the right man for you. As a friend, yes, you’re great together, but as soon as emotions get mixed into it . . . Well, you’re too different, and you really don’t bring out the best in each other when you’re a couple.” Her shoulders heaved, and she slid back on the crate. “There, I said it. Something I’ve wanted to say to you for a long time.”
Addie plucked another tissue from the box and blew her nose. “I’m glad you did because I knew that in my heart, too, I guess.” Catherine’s brown eyes softened with understanding, which was exactly what Addie needed right now and missed in her life—a mother’s shoulder to cry on. “I thought that when he got back, we could finally talk about it. Then I could explain how I was feeling and let him know that I really did care for him—just not the way he cared for me. But that I still cared as a friend. We’d been through so much together.”
Catherine patted Addie’s hand. “And you may be able to one day, but it’s going to take some time. You underestimated how hurt he was. His wounds need to heal. He’ll come around, but meanwhile you keep moving forward and stop looking back. Make a clean break from each other and stop this dance you both keep falling back into.” Catherine placed her hand on Addie’s arm. “You and Simon have got something pretty special. You followed your heart in February. Don’t risk jeopardizing that now by second-guessing yourself.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Addie’s lips. She remembered how her heart leapt at the sight of seeing Simon walk into the library today. He was as attractive to her now as he was the first night she’d met him, although, at that time, she was only attracted to his brilliant medical mind. But since then—well, Simon was new and refreshing. Addie swallowed hard. That’s exactly why Marc and I didn’t work. Catherine was right. The past is best left where it belongs: in the past. Forward was the only direction she should be looking.
Addie wrapped her arms around Catherine’s neck and hugged her. “Thank you. This talk helped me clear my mind.”
“I’m here anytime you need me. I know your grandmother, bless her heart, tried her best after your mother passed. And even though I can’t replace either of them, I’m always here for you.” Catherine kissed Addie’s damp cheek.
“Addie.” Paige’s head popped through the door. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m getting slammed out here. About twenty customers just came in.”
“All at once?”
“Yeah, I heard one of them say they were on the cruise ship.”
“I thought that wasn’t starting until next week?” Catherine rose to her feet.
“The regular shore excursions don’t start until then,” Addie said, “but I overheard something about a preinaugural docking this week for VIPs or something. I didn’t think it would affect us.