Page 79 of Perfect Composition

When the last note finishes, Paige declares, “Sometimes it isn’t that easy, baby.”

I retort, “And sometimes it is, Austyn. Other things get in the way.”

“Time,” she sniffs.

“Pride.” I roll my eyes.

“Life.”

“Stubbornness.”

“People.”

“Busybodies.” My voice is despondent.

She looks right at me when she says, “Ultimately, what your father and I are trying to say is if the person matters enough, none of these things will matter. The heart will find a way around them.”

I cheer up. “Listen to your mother, Austyn.” I resume playing before bringing us back to the previous topic. “I was serious about Tyson, Paige. Whatever he needs.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her mouth open—likely to refuse—when Austyn elbows her in the ribs. I suppress a smile. I instead hear a gritted “Thank you, Beckett. It’s appreciated. I’ll speak to Jess about it—he holds my father’s medical power of attorney.”

I mutter, “Stupid ass,” because only Tyson Kensington would be stubborn enough to not give the medical power of attorney to his doctor daughter over something she had no control over. I twist slightly and catch Paige running her hand over Austyn’s hair. “So, that’s where we’re at.”

“I have to head back after the holidays,” Austyn worries.

“I figured as much.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone, Mama.”

I start to interrupt that she won’t be but close my mouth before anything comes out. Paige shoots me a quizzical look. I stare back blandly. She ignores me and focuses on our daughter. “You need to get back to your life, and I’ll be making plans.”

“You’re really going to do it,” Austyn wonders.

“Do what?” I ask.

“Mama’s discussing selling her practice,” Austyn announces.

“She said that when we first arrived.”

Paige coughs, hoping our daughter will get the clue and not go on. No such luck.

“In addition to all of this, she’s been researching jobs in places outside of Kensington!” Austyn announces like the Tooth Fairy has signed a contract with Santa Claus for the next ten years.

Paige groans. “You really can’t keep a secret.”

Austyn looks stricken. “Oh no. Was it supposed to be one?”

“The part about my moving was!”

“The cat’s out of the bag now, Paige,” I drawl. Then I enjoy the flush that starts rising in her cheeks as a smile broadens mine. “Though personally I’ll be thrilled if you’re close by.”

Paige shoves to her feet. “This isn’t about you. It about me trying to figure out who I am at this late date.”

“Paige, sweetheart.” I swing my legs around to face her, but her temper’s been nudged too far.

“I’m not your sweetheart.” The pronounced silence following that declaration almost echoes in the room. “I realized long ago when you gave parts of what you promised me away, I was never yours.”

And with that, she hurries up the stairs.