Their Goddess - The Roses, Book 3 (Completed)

Part 3. Mandy

I saw Genevieve across the street and felt a moment of panic as I remembered the past. My counsellor's words coming back into my head as I watched her go into the bookstore.
"You alright?" Soft hands stroked down my shoulders and a head props its self against mine "what you looking at?" Diana asked softly.
"Genevieve is back, I've just seen her" I whisper.
"Okay, so what's your plan?"
I turn to face her, unable to keep watching the street. "Plan?"
"Run and Hide, pretend it didn't happen?"
I shook my head.
"Go and find her and have it out?"
I shook my head.
"Hope she pops in for tea and cake and take advantage of seeing her, here where you have my support".
"Do you think she'll come in?" I question worried and excited, I could finally apologise for what I did. Close the door on that part of my life.
"If she Is a small, brunette in jeans and a red jumper, then yes". She tells me softly, pulling me back around the counter.
"Breathe" she orders and I gasp not realising I was holding my breath.
I duck back out of sight as Diana smiles over the counter and the door opening dings.
"Hi. Welcome to Dimands, what can I get you."
"Hello, can I get a latte and a poppy seed muffin" Genevieve asks, her voice unchanged from her two years in America.
"Take a seat and I'll have it brought over to you" Diana offers and I listen to her quiet "thank you".
Diana steps back and looks at me, pulling me into a hug, "this is your chance to make it right, I'm right here and will help you if you want me to" she tells me softly.
She wipes away the tears I hadn't realised had fallen and kisses me "now, let's get her order together" she smiles.
"I love you" I whisper and see her love for me in the smile I receive back.
My hands shook as I carried her order over, sliding the tray onto the table before I spoke.
"Hey" I say softly.
Genevieve looks up at me in shock, "Mandy!" I see the wariness behind her shocked look.
"Can I sit down, please?" I ask nervously.
She nods and tenses as I draw out a chair, casting a quick glance over at Diana, who is watching us.
"What do you want Mandy?" Genevieve asks bringing my focus back to her.
"I want to say sorry, I did some really nasty things to you in college," I took a deep breath "I set you up, I set them up, it was all a big fat lie, nothing happened, there was no bet.  Noah and the others, nothing ever happened between us, I felt that they snubbed me that day and when I saw their interest in you, I used you to punish them, I'm sorry"
"Why did you do it, what did I do to you to make you hate me?" I could still hear the hurt in her voice.
"I was jealous, I was unhappy, I lied and manipulated everyone, I just didn't realise it at the time, my parents kept pressuring me, do better, be better, be of benefit to the family name, when my dad found out I was friends with Noah, he was so happy, he told me he was proud of me, I couldn't let him down, he wouldn't forgive me..." I trailed off, remembering that time.
Diana's hand on my shoulder as she placed a coffee in front of me made me jump. "Thank you" I whisper to her.
I see Genevieve's eyes flicking between us.
"This is my girlfriend Diana" I introduce her and laugh at the shock on Genevieve's face.
"Hi, pleased to meet you, I'm Evie" she shakes the hand that Diana holds out.
"Right, I'll leave you two to it" Diana says going back to the counter.
I look back as Evie studies me. "You've changed" she agrees and I laugh "I had to"
"Why?" She asked curiously.
"When I did what I did and you left, the boys went and complained to my parents about my lies, my dad had listened and apologised to them and once they left, he then told me that I had disgraced him, the family name and that I had to fix it or I was out. Mr and Mrs Rose came over to speak to my parents, a couple of days after the boys had been and Mrs Rose found me in the garden, I had a knife in my hand, just running it back and forth over my fingers, I didn't feel the blood, there was no pain. She cleaned me up and we talked, I broke down and told her everything, how confused I was, my jealousy, when I looked at you with them I could see why they liked you, you were so pretty" I stuttered out.
"And" she prompted.
"Mrs Rose suggested I see a counsellor, she recommended one to my parents, who agreed to get back on the Rose's good side. Best thing I every did, I worked through the lie my life was and realised what I wanted, what I was missing when I looked for a relationship." I took a sip of my coffee, wrapping my cold hands around the warm mug.
"Mrs Rose checked in with me every now and then, and introduced me to Diana, who has been with me every since. My parents don't approve of my relationship and I moved out of home but I'm better now, I am a better person. I'm training as a counsellor through evening classes, I have a lot of regret over what I did, what I said, to both you and the boys. They know, I've told them sorry again and again, but I've been waiting for you,"
I sat silent waiting for her to walk away, or to have a go at me and was surprised when she did neither.
"We should go out for a drink some time, it would be nice to make new friends now I'm home" Evie said and I looked at her open mouthed.
"But after what I did?" I stutter out.
"Its behind us, you've said sorry, you've changed and so have I, thank you for talking to me, explaining, but it's behind us now"
"Your sure" I still couldn't believe her words.
"I'm sure" she said reaching over and squeezing my hand.
"Friends?" Diana asked coming back over to us.
"Friends" Evie agreed.