Although her heartache eased at her mother’s apology, Sammi had been brooding over an important question for weeks. “Something has been bothering me since that day,” Sammi admitted. “Do you regret having me?”
“No. Of course not.” Celeste saw her daughter’s skepticism and shrugged. “Maybe in the early days my life would’ve been easier for me if I hadn’t become a mother at such a young age, but although I was terrified when I first learned I was pregnant, nothing in the world could have made me give you up.”
The earnestness of her mother’s confession gave Sammi hope that they could find their way back to the mother-daughter relationship she remembered from before her career took off.
“I can’t imagine what it was like for you to leave behind everyone and everything you knew and move halfway around the world.”
“I knew it would be a better life here.” Celeste squeezed her daughter’s hand. “I wanted a chance for a new beginning, and you’re right, it wasn’t easy. I had no skills and a high school education. I only hoped I could create a better life for you here than what I’d known in the Philippines.”
“And you did,” Sammi assured her. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be the woman I am.”
“And that woman is amazing,” Celeste said, her eyes shining with pride. “You are strong and beautiful. And you are going to be a wonderful mother.”
“I’m going to try to do as well as I can,” Sammi said. “You’ve taught me a lot about sacrifice, and I hope my child appreciates me as much as I do you.”
Her mother smiled a bit sadly. “That certainly is a change from how you felt about me these last few years.”
“I guess I just needed a little space from you to put my life in perspective and understand all that you’ve done for me. In any given moment as I grew up I wanted to be with you and independent from you. There were times when I loved you and some when you were the last person I wanted to see. You know.” Sammi grinned. “Normal mother-daughter-relationship stuff.”
After lunch, Sammi returned to her apartment to pack the last few boxes and fill the suitcases she’d be taking with her to the studio apartment she’d rented. She was giving her apartment up the next day and needed someplace to go.
Even before learning last night what Oliver had done to Ty, she’d been leaning toward finding her own place. It had been his lack of remorse over how he let his anger dictate his actions that had put her mind at rest. The way things stood between them, moving in with Oliver was the wrong decision. Even though she loved him, even though she believed in his dream of cohabitating and co-parenting their child, when she’d gone all in and offered him her heart, he hadn’t accepted it.
Nor was she surprised. As great as the sex was between them, Oliver had never given her any indication that he wanted to be in love. Rejection loomed too large in his mind for him to give himself over to her support. His lack of faith in them as a couple was an obstacle she couldn’t overcome alone. Because of that, she’d decided to do what was best for her. She’d been in relationships before and knew when it wasn’t working. This time was different, though. This time she’d wanted it to work, and it broke her heart that they could never be.
Thirteen
As the cab headed to Sammi’s apartment through the gently drifting traffic-snarling snowflakes, Oliver had plenty of time to sort through the emotions that had gotten in the way of telling her how he felt about her. Instead of being honest with himself and her, he’d denied his growing feelings and marginalized their connection by denying her the closeness and intimate commitment she craved.
So how did he go about convincing her that he had changed overnight? After everything he’d put her through, would she believe that he’d let go of the past and was ready to have a future with her? Yet what could he say that might convince her when he demonstrated over and over that he was ruled by his anger?
Maybe he didn’t need to say anything. Maybe the situation called for him to do something. Since the taxi was crawling along, he utilized the time to call his contacts and find out what advertising agency Ty had landed at. If he couldn’t fix what he’d done, at least he could take full responsibility for his actions and apologize.
Five minutes later, he had a phone number to call. When the man answered, Oliver introduced himself but was interrupted before he could explain the reason for his call.
“What do you want?” Sammi’s ex demanded, his voice an unfriendly snarl.
For a second Oliver was taken aback. Was this how he sounded when his temper flared? No wonder people tiptoed around him. The image of himself as a boorish tyrant was far from flattering and certainly not one he intended to maintain going forward.
“Sammi said she ran into you at the Adina launch party last night,” Oliver began.
“What of it?”
Oliver rubbed his eyes, realizing that keeping a rein on his temper was going to be more challenging than he thought.
“She was upset because you accused her of being responsible for your recent troubles.”
“She got me fired.” Ty’s antagonism came through loud and clear.
“She had nothing to do with it,” Oliver assured him, maintaining his composure with difficulty. “I did. Your beef is with me.”
“You messed with my career. That’s a dick move.”
So was the way Ty had treated Sammi, but Oliver held his tongue. He was starting to understand why Sammi had gotten frustrated with his unwillingness to give up his anger and see reason.
“I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.” Oliver paused to grind his teeth before adopting
