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“I’m sorry for pushing you, Nora. I shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have assumed I know better.”

Mimi’s apologizing to me now? It only makes me cry harder.

“It’s not on you to make things better.” Mimi cups my cheek. “I say that as a mother—and as a damn good one at that.”

I bury my face in her hair. I let Mimi take me in her arms. In the space of the past five minutes, just by being able to tell her this, I’ve done more healing than I’ve done in a lifetime.

“I too have some things to say,” Mimi whispers in my ear. “But I’m not going to say them now. You’re too vulnerable. But I really appreciate you sharing this with me. This must be so difficult.” She kisses the side of my head. “I only love you more for it.”

Because I grew up emotionally repressed, I’m quite allergic to this kind of emotional exhibitionism. It always seems so unnecessary, almost vulgar to me. But not right now—and not ever, really. And especially not when sharing this part of myself with Mimi. This aspect of my personality I’ve buried under layers of shame and guilt. While telling Mimi doesn’t change anything about the reality of the situation, it’s life-changing for me nonetheless.

CHAPTER38

MIMI

I expected to wake up to the excruciating blare of Nora’s alarm at an ungodly hour, but to my surprise, it’s fully light out, and Nora’s naked body is still huddled against mine under the covers.

As far as I know, Marcy didn’t barge into our room at five a.m. demanding Nora join her in the gym either.

“Hm.” Nora slides her leg over mine as she wakes up.

“Excuse me?” I say. “Who are you? Are you Nora Levine’s doppelgänger, because if you are this is highly inappropriate.”

In response, Nora takes my hand and puts it on her belly. “Would my doppelgänger have abs like this?”

“Speaking of abs, why aren’t you working on them right now?”

“Oh, sorry, Ms. St James.” Nora pushes herself up and looks at me. “Is that what you demand of the lead actors in your company’s flagship show? How terribly last century of you.” She smiles down at me.

“Morning.” My lips curve into the biggest grin. “I’m just surprised.” I nuzzle my nose against her neck. My skin reacts to her body heat immediately.

“I texted Marcy after you fell asleep.” Nora moves her hand into my hair. “Let’s be honest, at your age, you need your beauty sleep.” Nora bursts into laughter.

“You’re damn right I do.” I fall back onto the pillow. “I could get used to this.”

“Marcy’s not happy, by the way. Nor is she stupid. You will totally get the blame for this so you might not want to be here when she comes over tomorrow.”

“I’ll happily stay in bed until she’s long gone.”

“I’ll figure out a way to get out of bed without having to wake you as well.” Nora nods. “I’ve never had to take another person in my bed into account before.”

“Did you sleep okay?” I have no idea how I’m actually going to get out of Nora’s heavenly bed this particular morning. Waking up with her like this is divine.

“Out like a light. I was exhausted. You?”

“Yes. Thank you again for sharing with me. It means a lot to me, Nora.” I push a strand of hair away from her cheek.

“It was good to share.” She’s no longer that vulnerable woman who cried in my arms last night.

“I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to or are not ready for, but I would like to continue the conversation. I’d like to share a few things of my own, if that’s okay.”

“Sure.” She looks at her watch. “We can talk over breakfast. Ricky must be so confused right now, wondering where I am. And where Marcy is.”

Every time Nora says Marcy’s name, a twinge of tension travels through my muscles. “Are you close with her outside the gym?”

“With Marcy? Hm.” Nora ponders my question. “We spend a lot of time together and that does create a certain amount of closeness, but we don’t have heart-to-hearts or anything like that. She’s definitely not the kind of personal trainer who dispenses life advice while torturing my body.” Nora shakes her head. “Marcy’s a real hard-ass, but I like that about her.”

“Do you know anything about her personal life?”