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She frowns. “What are you talking about? I don’t do that. And even if I did, it’s only to help you, Rachelle.”

“I don’t need to be a size zero to be loved. I’m healthy, happy, and moving on with my life. But if you can’t stop throwing insults like you did with the Quickstagram photo of me, we’re going to have to take some time apart.”

“Time apart?”

“This new part of my life is filled with positivity and potential. And while you’ll always be my mom, I need you to understand that this is the person I want to be. I’m free. The diets, the cleanses, obsessing over a half a pound, I don’t need to do it.”

My mother looks at me, stunned. “Everything I did was to help you. So you wouldn’t be bullied at school or be disgusted in your body.”

“I’m sure that was your initial intention, but just know I don’t need that anymore. I need a mom who’s going to support me and build me up, rather than tear me down.”

She tilts her chin up and nods. “I’m late for that meeting.”

With a few quick steps, she’s out the door and I’m left in a house, that while it looks polished and nice, has so many of its own secrets hiding in the walls.

I blow out a breath. As disappointing as it is to not have a magical transformation in our relationship, I finally stood up for what I feel, and that’s all I can do.

* * *

Iget home from their house and find a single white rose with a note underneath it. This is the fifth one I’ve gotten, on the fifth day since Landon left.

I walk into the house but it’s surprisingly quiet for the late afternoon.

“Kenzie? Evie? Millie?”

I sit down in the office chair and open the letter, smelling the rose with it. I don’t know who Landon roped into delivering this every day, but I’ll have to thank them later.

Dear Rachelle,

It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, dozens of hours and minutes. I’m counting them all, by the way.

I’m forever grateful for our second chance, that we can be together and live the life we’ve always dreamed.

You’re amazing and strong, and I hope to be like you when I grow up.

I have a surprise for you. Look outside.

I pause reading and stand up to glance out the window. A long, white limo drives up and parks in the street.

Emotions swirl through me and I walk to the door, opening it slowly, as if acting too quickly would take away the magic.

The back door of the limo opens and Landon steps out, dressed in a tuxedo.

“Whoa. What’s going on?” I ask, giving him a glance up and down. He looksgood.

“There were a lot of options for me to choose from on this but I figured showing up in a paintball suit wouldn’t be the best idea.”

I walk to the edge of the porch and then down the steps, pausing about four or five feet away from him. “Not unless you came with a paintball gun for me.” I laugh, but Landon only gives a half-hearted laugh, the sign that he’s nervous.

“Rachelle LaRue Stewart,” he says, walking up closer and getting down on one knee. “We’ve been through a lot in the past year. I promise to be there for you but also give you space to fly. And know that I’ve never stopped loving you, always holding onto the hope that we’d get back together.”

I giggle a bit and press my hand to my mouth. “Landon?”

“Hmmm?”

“Just ask.”

“Will you marry me?” His voice cracks on the last word and emotion consumes me. After all we’ve been through, this proposal is even better than the last.