“Mom.” I shrug. “Trust me on this. Claire is nothing like anyone I’ve ever dated before. You will like her. There’s a lot to like about this woman . . . everything, actually.”
Her worried eyes hold mine.
“I’m bringing her on Saturday night.”
She rolls her eyes.
“What does that mean?”
“It means . . . I’ll see you on Saturday night.” She stands.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes.” She sighs.
I exhale heavily, annoyed with how our conversation has gone. “And cut ties with Melina, please. She’s my ex-girlfriend. It’s weird.”
“Tristan, I’m friends with all of your ex-girlfriends. I can’t just cut them off like you.”
I roll my eyes.
“I just don’t know how you can be so coldhearted to these women who love you. My heart breaks for them. Melina is absolutely devastated.”
“She’ll get over it.” I look my mother in the eye. “She doesn’t love me, Mom. She loves my money and my surname. Just like the rest of them did.” I shake my head in disgust.
“Why would you say that?” she snaps.
“Because it’s the truth. You be nice to Claire . . . she’s important to me.”
She marches to the door and then looks back. “I want my son to have his own family.”
“And I will,” I snap. “It just may not fit into your perfect little box.”
She shakes her head and leaves in a huff, and I stare at the door she’s disappeared through.
A knock sounds at the door. “Hello,” I call.
Fletcher pokes his head around the door. “Hi,” he says nervously. “I’ve got the tea you wanted.”
“Hey, buddy.” I fall into my seat, and I gesture to my desk. “Bring it in.”
He walks in and with shaky hands puts it down onto the desk. He lingers, as if waiting, and my eyes rise to meet his.
“I heard what your mother said,” he says softly.
I bite my bottom lip in anger. “I’m sorry. Ignore her.”
“She doesn’t want you to date my mom?” His eyes search mine.
I shrug.
“You don’t want your own kids?” he asks.
“I do.” I undo my tie with a sharp snap. “But I want your mother more.”
Chapter 19
Claire