College Affair

Chapter 32

Caroline's POV
"Of course I want to meet Hope." I say and smiled at her.

Josie started to lead me to where Hope was standing. They both looked nervous. I wonder why? Normally when Josie introduced me to a friend, she never looked this nervous. Once we were standing in front of Hope, Josie moved to stand by her. Maybe she's nervous because she likes her and doesn't want me saying anything? I mean I could obviously tell my daughter likes this girl by just the way she was looking at her earlier.

"Are you sure?" I hear Josie ask Hope and she looked hesitant but nodded her head. Sure about what?

"Hope, this is my mom, Caroline Forbes." Josie started with me. Probably so Hope wouldn't get confused and call me Saltzman, since that was Josie and Lizzie's last name.

"Hello Miss. Forbes." Hope said, shyly but very politely.

"You can call me Caroline sweetie." I tell her with a smile. I would've kept talking but by the look on Josie's face, I knew she wanted to introduce Hope to me herself.

"Mom this is Hope, my uhm.." She paused for a moment. I wonder why.

Josie looks over at Hope and Hope nods her head. It seemed like Josie was getting her permission for something.

"Mom, Hope is my girlfriend." Josie says quickly and then I hear a sigh from her.

Girlfriend? That's amazing! I'm so happy Josie found someone. But how come she never told me? Maybe it's new.

"That's wonderful Jo. How long have you two been dating?" I asked. I noticed how their faces quickly changed as if they were nervous again.

"Uh well, about eight months. So close to a year."

I'm sorry, what? They've been dating for that long and I never knew. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at Josie.

"Why have you never told me?" I asked. I was hurt that Josie never told me but I knew my daughter so I knew she had a reason.

"That's my fault, Miss. Forbes." Hope finally speaks up after greeting me earlier.

"Why is it your fault?" I asked her.

"When Jo asked me out, I asked her if we could keep it between us." She replied. And I was about to ask why but she continued before I could, almost as if she read my body language or mind.

"Something happened to me in high school.." She started but paused. I watched as Josie grabbed her hand and gave her a smile. She was reassuring her and calming her down. And about a few seconds after Josie did so, Hope was ready to continue.

"I trusted someone and cared for them but they weren't who I thought they were. And now because of this person, I have trust issues. It was bad enough to the point that my best friend from childhood came back into my life and I kept pushing her away even though her leaving wasn't her fault."

Hope seems to be having a hard time explaining this. I can tell she doesn't exactly trust me but I can see she trusts Josie.

"I'm trying my damn hardest to get over these issues. Somehow Josie managed to break through my wall and I let her in, no matter how much I tried pushing her away. And something happened recently that set me back a bit but Josie has been here through it all with me."

This poor girl must have been through a lot. Clearly this thing that set her back is something she doesn't want to talk about.

"I would tell you but I don't think I can. Josie can if you really want to know, just as long as I don't hear it." She is really trying to make me see why they kept their relationship a secret.