Sweet Ruin: A YA Boarding School Romance (Weybridge Academy Book 3)

My mom’s Thanksgiving meal was just as frantic and chaotic as always. The café tables were all drawn together to form one long dining table, and mountains of food were laid out on top of it. As well as me, my friends, and my family, Norma was there along with some of the café staff and their families. There were also a few of our loyal regulars, like Norma’s not-so-secret crush, Frank.

Her cheeks turned a shade of bright red I thought was only reserved for cars when he came in through the front doors. She’d been in love with him for as long as I could remember, but Frank, of course, had no clue. My mom intentionally sat them next to each other. I wasn’t sure why she thought one lunch would make a difference. Frank and Norma saw each other every day, and nothing had happened yet.

My mom sat next to my dad, and I was on his other side. I had been anxious about what my friends would think of Rapid Bay and equally unsure how my father would react to seeing my home life. But having him here with us felt surprisingly natural. He seemed more relaxed and content than I’d ever seen him, and I felt a little sad we’d missed his presence all these years.

When it was time to go around the table and say what we were thankful for, Mom invited Matthew to go first.

“Family,” he said, smiling nervously at my mom and me. The word caused a lump to form in my throat, and I returned his smile. I found I couldn’t hold his gaze for very long though. Our relationship had come such a long way since the first day when I’d stormed out of his office and told him I wanted nothing to do with him. Back then, I never could have pictured him sitting between me and my mom at Thanksgiving lunch.

Now it felt like he was here to stay, but a small part of me was also aware he’d come into my life so quickly, and he could leave just as fast. I didn’t want to go through that. And I didn’t want my mom to experience it for a second time.

“Agreed,” my mom said, also returning Matthew’s smile. Their eyes locked for several long seconds before she quickly glanced away to continue. “I’m especially thankful to have my daughter home and all of you here with us today.”

“Well, I’m thankful to be here,” I said. I wasn’t sure what else to say. I was too distracted by the way my mom and dad kept smiling at each other. But eventually, I managed to turn to Cress, who was sitting beside me.

“What about you, Cress?”

“Friends,” she replied, grinning at Anna and me. “Both new and old.”

“Oh,” Anna said, a look of mock surprise on her face. “I thought you’d be thankful for a future filled with many pleasures. I know I am.”

“Anna,” Cress hissed, but Norma burst out laughing from the other side of the table.

“I second that,” she chuckled.

The rest of the table looked on in confusion as Cress’s cheeks grew pinker by the second. Most people around the table seemed to be waiting for an explanation, but luckily my mom started speaking before Anna could tell everyone about Norma’s prediction for Cress’s love life.

“How about you, Frank?” she asked. “What are you thankful for.”

“I’m thankful you guys have the best coffee in town,” he said with a soft smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without it.”

“You say that every year,” Norma gently chided him.

“Well, it’s true!” he replied

Once everyone had their turn, it was finally time to get stuck into the feast my mom had prepared. As I piled food onto my plate, I began to regret having such a large breakfast. An amateur mistake. My mom’s Thanksgiving food was so good I wanted to try a bit of everything. I just hoped I didn’t get full too fast.

“How was the beach, girls?” my mom asked.

“It was beautiful,” Cress replied. “I just wish the weather was nice enough so we could swim while we’re here.”

“At least it’s not as cold as it is back in Weybridge,” Anna said. “I think it’s going to snow there early this year.”

I repressed a shudder at the thought. I couldn’t remember the last time it had snowed in Rapid Bay, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle winter in Weybridge if it was cold enough to be a regular occurrence there.

“You’ll both have to come back in the summer,” Mom said. “It’s wonderful.”

“Yeah, we’d really like that,” Cress replied. “Does it snow here in Rapid Bay?”

“Rarely,” Mom said. “It never really gets quite cold enough.”

“Still too cold for my old bones in winter,” Frank said. “I’m beginning to wonder if I need to move further south.”

Norma gasped and her fork clattered to her plate. “What do you mean?”

Frank returned her shocked stare with a shrug.

“I’m just saying I’ve considered it. My holiday in Florida a few weeks back sure was convincing.”

“You’ve been thinking about moving away?”

All eyes at the table were on Norma. Her face had paled, and her hands grasped the arms of her chair tightly. Frank seemed oblivious to the alarm in her voice. He also didn’t seem to notice how the entire table was watching, waiting for his response.

“I haven’t made any plans,” he said calmly as he lifted his fork to take a bite of turkey. “I just think it would be nice to be somewhere warmer.”

“Warmer? But it’s plenty warm here,” Norma protested.

“Maybe for now, but I’m not getting any younger, and my arthritis always plays up in the winter. I think year-round sunshine would do me good.”

“So, what? You’re just going to leave me…uh, I mean, us?” Norma seemed to be freaking out, and I had a feeling Anna’s comment earlier about Frank potentially moving on had gotten to her.

Frank lowered his fork to the table. He was looking at Norma, a hint of concern now on his face. “Like I said, I’m not going anywhere yet.”

“Yet,” she repeated. “Yet. So now we just have to sit and wait with this dark cloud hanging over our heads…”

Frank opened his mouth to respond, but Norma cut him off before he had a chance.

“You can’t leave me. You just can’t.”

“Norma…” He tried to console her, but she was too worked up.

“Damn it, Frank, can’t you see I’m in love with you?” she gasped.

The whole table remained still and silent, and neither Frank nor Norma seemed to notice there was anyone else in the room. I couldn’t believe she’d finally laid her feelings for him bare like that. Given Frank’s blank and completely shocked expression, it was a surprise to him too.

Norma looked ready to storm off, but Frank reached out and grabbed her hands.

“Norma, darlin’, can’t you tell I’ve been in love with you since the day I met you?” he replied.

“What?” She sounded breathless, and she kept opening and closing her mouth as she struggled to form a response. It must have been the first time in her life she’d been close to speechless.

Frank slowly stood from his chair, still holding Norma’s hands. “The coffee isn’t the only reason I come here every day. Norma, I love you.”

“Oh, you fool,” she said. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t know whether you’d feel the same way.”

“Well, now you do. Frank, I love you too.”

A second later they stepped into each other’s arms and kissed.

The table erupted with cheers and whistles, but the two of them still barely noticed us as they lost themselves in a kiss years in the making. It was impossible not to be overwhelmed with joy at the sight of the pair finally together. I turned to look at my mom, and she winked at me as she clapped along.

“Wow, I guess you were right about your mom’s turkey,” Cress murmured to me.

“Yeah, looks like it’s struck its magic again,” I agreed.

“If that’s how powerful it is, I need seconds,” Anna said, reaching out to grab the turkey platter and slide it closer to her plate.

Norma and Frank eventually pulled themselves apart and laughed when they finally realized the whole room was watching and applauding them. They nervously took their seats and focused on their meals, but as we all continued eating, I noticed they were sitting a little closer to each other, and I suspected they were holding hands under the table.

Once it looked like everyone had finished, my mom stood up. “Right, I think it’s time for dessert,” she announced. “Could you give me a hand, Iz?”

“Sure.” I stood up and went to follow her to the kitchen, but when I looked at my mom, her eyes were focused on something behind me.

“Uh, Isobel,” she said. “Look.”

She nodded past me, and I glanced over my shoulder to look out the window. Through the glass, I could see Nina. She was standing on the sidewalk, looking into the café.

The blood drained from my skin at the sight of her. She looked nervous and instinctively glanced away when my eyes met hers, but then she turned back to meet my gaze and slowly raised a hand to wave. The last time I’d seen her at the café, she had waltzed in with my ex-boyfriend on her arm and her head held high. Today was different. She was alone, and her expression was much gentler. There was no sign she was looking for a confrontation similar to last time, but I got the sense she was here to talk. Maybe Mom’s crazy turkey magic hadn’t run its course yet.

“I’ll just be a minute, Mom,” I said before I slowly walked outside to meet Nina.

“You’re home,” she said as I stepped onto the sidewalk. She was still standing in the same spot, but now she was facing the entrance to the café. I stayed close to the door, a few feet away from her with my arms folded.

Nina had always been so sure of herself and confident to the point where it often came across as patronizing. But as I looked at her now, I could see none of that conviction. Her head was hung low, and her shoulders were slumped, like something heavy was weighing them down. She scuffed one shoe against the concrete as she waited for my response.

“Yeah,” I replied. “I couldn’t miss Thanksgiving.”

She nodded. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be coming back, but I hoped.”

“Why?”

“I’ve been meaning to call you or text you, but I just didn’t know if you’d answer,” she continued. “Then when I saw you on the beach this morning, I was too shocked to say anything, but, well, I couldn’t let you leave without talking to you.”

I frowned and shook my head, rubbing my hands across my arms to try to combat the sudden chill of the wind. It had been so cozy inside the café, but the sun had just crept behind a cloud, taking its warmth with it.

“I’m surprised to hear that,” I said. “I didn’t think you cared about me anymore.” She’d more than proven that when she stole my boyfriend. The last I’d heard from Norma, Nina and Levi had ended things, but that didn’t change the fact Nina hadn’t cared enough about me as a friend in the first place.

“That’s the thing, isn’t it?” Nina let out a long breath. “You don’t realize how much something meant to you until it’s gone.”

She took a step toward me. There was a more determined look in her eyes now, like she was intent on taking this opportunity to say whatever it was she needed to say.

“Iz, when you left, I fell apart,” she said. “I know I was horrible to you, and I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I was wrong. I thought I was in love. I got caught up in the moment. But everything with Levi was a big mistake. It didn’t take me long to realize I’d messed up. I’ve been desperate to tell you how sorry I am, and I’ve been wishing and hoping you’d come back home so I could tell you just how badly I miss our friendship.”

Nina’s emotion was clear as she spoke. She was rambling and nervous; nothing like the brazen girl I’d once been friends with. I didn’t doubt the legitimacy of her words, and I knew she was being sincere. That didn’t make it any easier to forgive her.

As I stared at her though, I was surprised to find the memory of what Nina and Levi had done to me was no longer an open wound in my heart. It had long scabbed over, and all that was left was the faintest of scars. Nina had been a terrible friend, but I didn’t feel the same anger toward her that I once had.

“I’m not sure we can ever be friends again, Nina,” I said. “Not like we once were.”

She nodded, and her gaze fell back to the floor as she continued to brush her feet across the ground. “Yeah, of course,” she said. “I understand. That’s all I came here to say. I guess I’ll see you around, Iz.”

She went to leave, but I shocked myself by calling out to stop her. “Nina, wait.”

She stopped and turned back to look at me. I wasn’t sure I could forgive her, but I knew I couldn’t watch her walk away like this after she’d just apologized. We’d once been so close, and while I’d moved on from my disastrous relationship with Levi, accepted what happened, and was feeling stronger for it, Nina was clearly still hurting. She and I didn’t have to be best friends, but we didn’t have to be enemies either.

“My mom’s about to bring out her pumpkin pie,” I said. “Do you want to come in for a slice?”

“Really?” Surprise lit her eyes.

“Yeah.” I felt a little more certain as I responded. This trip home had made me realize that leaving Rapid Bay had helped me grow, but could I truly be doing that if I was leaving such a big part of my life here unresolved?

“I’d love that,” she said, a small, optimistic smile forming on her lips. “Do you think your mom’s nailed the recipe this year?”

“Oh, I’m sure she has,” I replied. “But I’m also sure she’ll still be working on it next year.”

I opened the door to the café and walked inside with Nina at my side before pulling up a chair so she could sit beside me.

“Seriously,” Anna said to my mom, who had brought out the pie and was busy slicing it up. “Where do I get a magic turkey from?”

As Mom passed around the pie, I introduced Nina to Cress, Anna, and my dad. Understandably, she was especially surprised to meet Matthew, considering I didn’t have a father last time we’d seen each other. I could tell she was bursting with questions, but she still seemed a little apprehensive, so she didn’t pry. Instead, she asked me about my new school and filled me in on the latest gossip from Rapid Bay High. It felt strange to have her sitting here sharing Thanksgiving with us after everything that had happened, but it also felt right. I was glad I’d decided to let go of the past. It made me feel like it was easier to start building a new and improved future.

Lunch continued for hours. After dessert, there were more drinks and coffee and talking, and night was beginning to descend by the time everyone started heading home. I walked Nina out and gave her a hug goodbye. She looked much happier than when I’d first seen her looking through the window, and she smiled brightly as she walked off down the street, her shoulders seeming significantly lighter. We’d repaired a little of the rift between us, and I had to admit I felt somewhat lighter myself.

As I watched her go, I heard the door to the café open behind me.

“You should be very proud of yourself,” my father said as he stepped out to stand beside me.

“Should I?” I didn’t think he knew about what had happened between Nina and I, so I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.

“Of course.” He nodded and looked down at me. “You’ve been through a lot recently, and you’ve done it with such grace and maturity. It can’t have been easy.”

He was right. It hadn’t been easy. But I just shrugged. “I guess so.”

He smiled and shook his head. “Well, I hope you know how proud your mother is of you. And how proud I am. I’m very happy to have been here with you both today.”

“Thanks.” I glanced up at him and smiled. “It was nice having you here. How long can you stay?”

“I’m afraid I have to leave tonight. I was hoping to stay for the weekend, but I received a call about an hour ago. Something’s come up with work. I’ve got to be back in the city for an early meeting tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay.” I was slightly disappointed, but I understood.

“How are you getting on at school?

“School’s fine,” I replied. “It’s been busy.”

‘Have you given much thought to your college applications?”

The question caught me by surprise, but it probably shouldn’t have. Everyone around me was working hard on their applications and some kids had already finished them. Deadlines were coming up in the new year, and I knew I was running out of time. I should have been giving a lot of thought to college applications, but every time I went to work on them, I seemed to freeze up.

“Uh, not really,” I admitted.

“Because I’m happy to organize someone to help you with your applications if you need.”

“Thanks, but it’s not just the applications I’m worried about,” I murmured.

“Then what is it? You don’t know where you want to go?”

“Sure, that too, but…”

Matthew’s eyes weighed my expression. “Isobel, my offer to pay for your college degree still stands. It always will. And it’s meant to help you, not hinder you.”

I nodded, but Matthew seemed to sense I still wasn’t wholly on board.

“You don’t have to accept my offer,” he continued. “Your future is yours to shape. I’ll support you however I can. Whether that’s financially or with any connections that I have. And if all you want is a bit of advice or someone to talk to about it, then that’s okay too.”

I studied my father as he spoke. He was barely recognizable from the man who I’d first met in his office at his Weybridge mansion. The man who had spoken about the expectation that came with the LaFleur name. It had felt like he was trying to change me before he even knew me. But now he was being supportive and nurturing as though what I wanted was now the most important thing.

He was doing his best to help me, so I felt like I should be honest. “I just feel guilty letting you pay for college for me,” I admitted.

He let out a soft laugh. “I probably shouldn’t be surprised. You are your mother’s daughter.”

“Apparently so,” I muttered. Mom was proud to a fault, and it seemed I’d taken right after her. “It’s not just that though,” I continued. “I always wanted to go to college, but a part of me knew it would never happen. I even killed the idea completely last year. But now that it’s a possibility again, I don’t feel prepared. I’m worried I’m going to make the wrong choice. And I’d be even more worried about that if I took your money to do it.”

He nodded and gave me an understanding smile. “No choice is the wrong choice,” he replied. “You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. Everything will work out in the end. I know it did for me, and I changed schools halfway through my first year.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “So, believe me, you’ll figure it out along the way.”

The tightness in my chest seemed to loosen at his words. In my head, everything about college had been in absolutes. It felt like such a big deal. But Matthew’s words had relieved some of the pressure. He made me feel as though, even if I didn’t accept his offer to help, I wouldn’t let him down. I wouldn’t let myself down.

“Look, why don’t you keep working on your applications and do a bit of research on a few colleges. We can discuss them the next time we talk, and you have nothing to lose by applying.”

“Yeah, okay,” I said. “I think I can do that.”

“Good.” He smiled, but then his expression sobered somewhat. “While we’re speaking of your future, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Okay…”

“It’s about my company.” His voice sounded more serious, and I got the feeling this wasn’t going to be a straightforward conversation. “I know you told me when we first met that you don’t want me to map out your life and that you’re not interested in The LaFleur Corporation. And if that’s what you want, I fully support you. But I wondered if any of that has changed since we first spoke.”

“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it.”

“Do you still feel as strongly about not being a part of the company as you once did?” he asked.

“No, not really,” I murmured. “I mean, I don’t feel as strongly against it as I was then. But I also don’t feel strongly for it either. I always pictured a future in medicine, but I don’t know exactly what that looks like.”

“I understand.” He pursed his lips as he processed what I’d said.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m making some changes,” he replied. He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath, like just thinking about it exhausted him. “I’m considering taking a step back from the company in the next few years, and I need to determine what the future of The LaFleur Corporation looks like,” he continued. “There are some decisions I need to make in preparation for that. And the choices I make now may affect you if you ever decided you did want to follow in my footsteps.”

“Right.” It was nice Matthew was considering me in his decisions, but I’d always expected I’d have to build my own future from the ground up. I’d never imagined I’d be handed an entire company. I didn’t know if I’d ever have the skills to do what Matthew did or whether it was something I even wanted.

“I don’t even know where I want to go to college next year, let alone what I want to do with my life,” I said. “You should do what’s best for you and The LaFleur Corporation. Don’t worry about me. If your decisions now mean I might not have a future there, then I’m not going to hold that against you.”

“You will always have a future there,” he murmured. “But, thank you. I didn’t want to make any decisions without consulting you.”

I thought he’d be relieved I was making his job easier for him, but from the look in his eyes, I could see he was still feeling torn about whatever decisions he needed to make. “So, what’s brought this on?” I asked. “Why are you looking to make changes now?”

“An opportunity presented itself,” he replied. “And I’d be unwise to ignore it.”

“But are you really thinking of taking a step back so soon? I thought you’d only been running the company a few years.”

“I have, but over these last few months, I’ve begun to reevaluate my priorities. I have more in my life now than I did when I first started working for my father. I don’t want to spend all my time working myself into the ground. I still want to be a part of The LaFleur Corporation, but I don’t want it sucking the life out of me anymore.”

“But you’ve always talked about the LaFleur family’s legacy.”

“I did, yes, but someone made me realize that family is more important than any legacy will be…” From the way he was looking into my eyes, I knew he was talking about me. He wanted to take a step back because of me.

“There was one other thing I wanted to ask you,” he said.

“Oh, man,” I let out an exaggerated gasp. “You’ve already grilled me on my college and career plans. I hope we’re not covering marriage and kids next?”

“No, no,” he chuckled. “Nothing like that. There’s an event in New York coming up, and I was hoping you’d join me for it.”

My cheeks warmed. “An event? What kind of event?”

“Just something I have to go to for work,” he said with a wince. “It’s in a few weeks, and by then, I should have made some more concrete decisions about the company, and I’ll be making an announcement. We can spend the rest of the weekend seeing the city. All the Christmas decorations will be up. It’s a really magical time to be in New York. Of course, you’re welcome to say no, but I’d really like for you to be there.”

“No. I mean, yes,” I quickly corrected myself. “I’d love to come see the city in all its Christmas glory.” I felt like I’d only scraped the surface of New York on my last visit, and I couldn’t wait to go back. I liked the thought of spending some more time with my father as well. We seemed to be making more and more progress. It also sounded like it was important to him I was there to hear his announcement about the company, whatever it was.

“Great.” He smiled brightly. “I’ll make the arrangements for you to come.”

“Great.” I agreed.

The bell above the café door chimed, and we turned to see my mom standing in the entrance. She was smiling at us, and I could see how much it meant to her that I was developing a relationship with Matthew. But I wasn’t the only one who seemed to be forming an attachment with him. Matthew and my mom had barely looked at anyone else over lunch and had been completely absorbed in conversation with one another.

Even now my father was mirroring my mom’s smile. They just seemed so at ease in each other’s presence. It was something I hadn’t expected. Especially knowing what my mom had been through because of Matthew, however unintentionally, and when I knew how different they were. Still, my heart warmed to see them getting along so well.

“What are you two doing out here?” she asked. “It’s getting cold.”

“Just talking,” I said. “But it is a little cold.” I turned to my dad. “Have you got time to come inside for a bit before you go.”

He grinned. “I think I’ve got just enough time for another slice of pumpkin pie.”