“I’m sure. Just need the photos. Are they all ready? Can I take them tomorrow when I drop you at the house?”

“Yep. I’ve got a box on the counter. I’m sorry if I went a little overboard. Sometimes it was just too hard to narrow down which ones were my favorites.”

“I get it. I’ll take a look and try to use as many as I can.”

Her mom looked at her watch. “We have an early start tomorrow, so I’m off to bed. Don’t stay up too late. Do you want my blanket?”

“Sure,” Reagan replied, spreading it across her lap.

Her mom placed a brief kiss on Regan’s forehead. “Don’t let anyone else’s past dictate how you respond to your present. You have the chance to show her what love is and what it means to be vulnerable with another person. Just be yourself and let her open up when she’s ready. It’ll be worth it.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“Love you too, honey.”

Reagan settled into her chair and wrapped the blankets a little tighter, left alone to ponder her mother’s words. She knew her feelings for Jill were growing each day. She wanted to be around her, laugh with her, argue with her, make love to and with her. She wanted everything that came with being in a relationship. But in the back of her mind, she worried that it might be too much for Jill. Maybe too much too soon. The vulnerability Jill had shown her up to this point, though, left her hopeful.

The ringing of her phone pulled Reagan from her thoughts. Looking at the display brought a smile to her face, and she swiped to accept the call. “Hey. I was just thinking about you.” She and Jill had texted back and forth a few times throughout the week, but that didn’t compare to how it made her feel to speak with her.

“You were, huh? Good thoughts, I hope?” Jill asked.

“Always,” Reagan whispered.

“Happy to hear that.” Jill cleared her throat. “But how are you? Couldn’t always determine your mood through our texts. I’ve wanted to call, but I didn’t know if I should. I didn’t want to interrupt your time with your mom.”

“You never have to question that, Jill. I like hearing your voice. It settles me.”

“I’ll make a note of that then.”

“You do that. I’m doing okay. It’s been an emotional week but definitely something we needed. On Wednesday we took a hike to the top of the hill and spread his ashes.”

“I bet that was hard.”

“It was. Lots of tears. But I think it’s helped and brought some closure for both of us. As much as it could anyway.”

“How’s your mom?”