Page 113 of That Fake Feeling

“Idid.Imean, not then.Onlydecades later, when social media became a thing.Hestill has the ranch.Anda wife, and two beautiful daughters.”Shelooks into the depths of her mug. “Andjust recently had a grandbaby.”

“Youstill looknow?”

“Everyonce in a while.”

“Thatmight be the saddest storyIever heard.”

Shesniffs and jiggles the tea bag string. “WhatI’msaying,Rose, is don’t be apart from someone just because you think you should be.Orbecausehethinks you should be.Don’tmiss out on the love of your life.”

Shelifts her gaze until her eyes meet mine. “Don’tbe like me.”

“Ican’t be withConnor.We’recompletely wrong for each other.Andapart from that he needs to focus on his company.AndIstill have six years of school to get to the end of aPhD.”

“Oh,Rosie.”Shelets out a deep breath. “You’reso much like your mother.”

“Yousay that like it’s bad.”

“Hell, no.Shewas a gem.Butshe worked and she worked, and she had no life.Yousaw that.”

Ilook down at her ring on my finger and nod.

“Yourmom wouldnotwant that for you,”AuntJensays quietly. “IfIknow anything,Iknow that.”

“Connorsaid that too.”

“Thenhe’s wise as well as handsome,” she says with a cheerier tone and a smile.

“Butshe’s whyI’mdoing all this.Toprevent other people having their lives ruined by being overlooked and not getting the right help.”

“You’resmart enough to do two things at once,Rosie.I’msure you can still do all that and allow someone to love you, can’t you?”

“Oh, he didn’t love me.”

“Themagazine pictures weren’t the only onesIsaw.Ifound more online,” she says, proud of her research skills. “Therewere some really good ones of the two of you at that children’s center.”

“Thatwas a great day.Hewas so good with the kids.”

“Theway you two looked at each other in those photos?Well, you couldn’t have faked that.WhatIsaw was real feelings, a real connection.EventhoughIwas looking at a computer screen with my spotty rural internet.”Sheraises her mug to her mouth and winks at me over the top of it.

Howlucky amIto haveAuntJen?

IrubMaisie’svelvet-soft ears. “I’msorryIwasn’t completely honest with you, though.Theymade me sign a confidentiality agreement.WhichI’mbreaching right now by telling you.”

Shebrushes it off with apfftand the wave of a hand. “I’msure you had your reasons and were doing the best you could.”

“Itwas all for money.WhendidIbecome that monster,AuntJen?Theperson who’d sell their soul for a big check?”

“First, you’re not a monster.Second, if that check pays your tuition and means you don’t need as many jobs, then you made a wise financial decision.”

“Itwill mean that.”

“Excellent.”Shesmiles and shrugs. “Becauseif you don’t have to work as well as study, you’ll have more time for the handsome young man.”

“Oh, no,I—”

“Anyway, how long are you staying for?”

“Idon’t know.Schoolstarts in just under three weeks.Sosometime before then.”