Unity handed her tissues. “Tell me everything.”

Ellen explained about making Keith come over to talk about Cooper being gone and how that had morphed into a conversation about their relationship and that he’d basically told her he was in love with her, all the while ending things.

“He thinks I’m emotionally stunted and can’t be with him,” she finished, then blew her nose.

Unity rubbed her arm. “He said he’s worried you need to have more life experiences before settling down.”

“Maybe. I don’t know why he had to get all touchy-feely about things. What we had was great. All of it.”

“And now he wants more.” Unity’s voice was gentle. “He’s in love with you, Ellen. Of course he wants to know you feel the same way.”

Her stomach knotted. “I like him a lot.”

Unity looked at her expectantly.

“What?” Ellen demanded. “I have to say it back? Why can’t we just have fun? Why does there have to be a commitment?” When did everyone get so traditional? She didn’t want anything to change with Keith. She wanted to go back to how it had been on trip.

Unity studied her. “Keith figured out there was a problem, but he’s assuming the wrong thing.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’re not interested in sleeping with a bunch of guys, you’re scared to fall in love. You never have and I wonder now how much of that really was a lack of opportunity and how much of it was about you believing that love comes at a price.”

Ellen didn’t like the sound of that. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said primly.

“You know exactly what I’m saying. Your parents put a price on love and affection. We used to talk about it. You vowed to be different with Cooper and you were. You love him no matter what. But giving your heart to a man is a lot harder than loving your child. What if you tell him you love him and then he puts a bunch of conditions on you?”

She wanted to say Unity was wrong, but in her gut, she knew her friend was telling the truth.

“I’m scared,” she whispered. “Or more accurately, terrified.”

There had been so many rules, growing up. After she’d gotten pregnant with Coop, things had only gotten worse. Yes, her parents had supported her and yes, she’d screwed up, but they’d never once said they would be there for her, no matter what. She’d spent the next six years waiting to be tossed out on her butt for not doing everything exactly how they wanted. Once she’d graduated from college and gotten a job, they’d basically left town. As if their work was done and now they could move on with their lives.

After they moved away, she rarely spoke to her parents. There were bimonthly phone calls and a visit every five or six years, but that was it. They weren’t interested in her or their grandson.