Blushing, I turn my head away. “I’m not that smart. Look what I did.”
“Kathryn, people make mistakes. They do stupid shit. They get drunk and hitched in Vegas. You did what was the right thing for you. Does it hurt me to see my son and his girlfriend go through this sort of thing? Of course it does. I want what’s best for the both of you. Naturally, I think that means you two getting married and settling down in a townhouse down the street with me. And having at least three kids I can spoil silly. At least I know you would be a good mother to them. Perhaps a better one than I could’ve been, because you understand this world from an innate perspective. You grew up in it. I was an outsider playing it by ear.”
My shoulders slump down. “You know that kids aren’t happening... for a very long time.”
“Shush. Let me dream. Just know that as long as I’m alive and able, you’ll never want for a nanny. Trust me, it’s better for kids to be around family anyway. I hated having to have a nanny for Ian... but I had so many responsibilities as the wife of a multi-millionaire that I desperately needed the help. Anyway, I digress. I can respect whatever decision you make. Doesn’t mean I like it, though.”
“Uh huh.” I wipe my nose on my sleeve. “I guess I worry about turning into my mom. She’s a basket case.” I tried visiting her a few months ago. I had to leave Germany early to get away from her. “Always so miserable. My grandmother was miserable too. I don’t want to be miserable.”
“I never personally knew your mother well, but I don’t think you have to worry about that. Besides, you may not have had your mother the way you should have growing up, but I like to think that there’s someone you can go to for motherly advice around here.”
I don’t have to ask who she means. Caroline and I were friends before I started dating Ian, and she was already doling out advice of that magnitude. Ever since Ian and I became public? It got worse. Or better. Depends on how you look at it.
“That’s all well and good until I’m talking shit about your son.”
“Oh, hon, a mother’s loyalties are strong, it’s true, but I am also the first to agree with you that Ian needs shit talked about him sometimes. We are a formidable team, you and I. He’ll be forever petrified of pissing us off. The only thing worse than a man’s mother and girlfriend not getting along is a pair that gets along too well, if you know what I mean!”
I have no idea what she means. Probably because I’m not a mother and had a shitty one growing up.
“Look, Kathryn.” Caroline keeps gussying me up like I’m about to go back into that courtroom. “You’ve been through a lot this week. You’ve been forced to think about things that were only at the back of your mind. I know Ian is upset too, and not just because that judge was a huge jerk. He loves you. He’s thought about asking you to marry him many times, although I know he wouldn’t dare upset you with it. I’m sure this week has bothered him in more ways than one as well. He hasn’t talked about it... although the look on his face when you ran in here crying nearly broke his mother’s heart.”
“So what you’re trying to say is...”
“You’re wasting valuable Nevada daylight sulking in here.” Caroline pats my knee and stands up, straightening her back and looking like the most pleased mourner at some poor sap’s funeral. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I plan to have some fun in Las Vegas before going home. I have an old friend in the area who is taking me out for some... well, never mind. Heed my advice when I say you not waste what’s left of your vacation. Don’t let the fact you made a blunder and were publically humiliated for it get you down!”
I narrow my eyes at her, but it doesn’t work. Caroline still looks pleased as punch as she fixes up her hair in the nearest mirror and leaves.
After I get my bearings together, I follow, making sure I don’t look a mess before going back into the courthouse.
“Kathryn.” Was Ian lurking around the women’s restroom? Because he’s quick to approach me, his hand taking mine and his hazel eyes glistening in worry. “Are you all right?”
I manage a soft smile. If nothing else, I’m touched that he’s so concerned. Even after all this time, I’m still not used to a man taking this much interest in my well-being. “I’m fine. Had a moment, that’s all.”
He embraces me, and I’m instantly whisked away to another world as his familiar scent envelopes me. “About what happened back there...”
“No. I don’t want to talk about it.” I kiss his cheek, and trust me when I say I want to kiss more. “I want to get out of here. I want to have the vacation we were supposed to have.”