“Mom, um…Elena and I run a very successful business together.”
“No, Christian. You cut your ties with her.”
I stare at her, speechless. How can she tell me what to do? I’m twenty-eight years old, for fuck’s sake.
“Mom—”
“No, Christian—I’m serious. If you don’t, I will go to the police.”
I pale. “You wouldn’t.”
“I will. I couldn’t stop it then, but I can now.”
“You’re just real mad, Mom, and I don’t blame you—but you’re overreacting.”
“Don’t tell me I’m overreacting,” she yells. “You are not going to have any kind of relationship with someone who can abuse a troubled, immature child! She should come with a health warning.” She’s glowering at me.
“Okay.” I hold my hands up defensively and she seems to compose herself.
“Does Ana know?”
“Yes, she does.”
“Good. You shouldn’t start your married life with secrets.” She frowns as if she’s speaking from personal experience. Vaguely, I wonder what that’s about, but she recovers herself.
“I’d be interested to hear what she thinks of Elena.”
“She’s kind of in your camp.”
“Sensible girl. You’ve fallen on your feet with her, at least. A lovely young woman who’s the right age. Someone you can find happiness with.”
My expression softens.
Yes. She makes me happier than I ever thought possible.
“You are to end it with Elena. Cut all ties. You understand?”
“Yes, Mom. I could do that as a wedding present to Anastasia.”
“What? Are you crazy? You’d better think of something else! That’s hardly romantic, Christian,” she scolds.
“I thought she’d like that.”
“Honestly, men! You have no idea sometimes.”
“What do you think I should give her?”
“Oh, Christian.” She sighs, then offers me a small wan smile. “You really haven’t taken in a word, have you? Do you know why I’m upset?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Tell me, then.”
I gaze at her and sigh. “I don’t know, Mom. Because you didn’t know? Because she’s your friend?”
She reaches up and gently strokes my hair, like she used to when I was small. The only place she would touch me, because it was the only place I let her.
“For all those reasons and because she abused you, darling. And you are so deserving of love. You’re so easy to love. You always have been.”
There’s a burning sensation at the back of my eyes.
“Mom,” I whisper.
She puts her arms around me, calmer now, and I hug her in return.
“You’d better go find your bride-to-be. I’m going to have to tell your father when the party’s over. No doubt he’ll want to talk to you, too.”
“Mom. Please. Do you have to tell him?”
“Yes, Christian, I do. And I hope he gives you hell.”
Fuck.
“I’m still mad at you. But madder at her.” Her face loses all trace of humor. I’d never realized how scary Grace could be.
“I know,” I murmur.
“Go on, off you go. Find your girl.” She releases me, steps back, and rubs her fingers under her eyes to wipe away her smudged makeup. She looks beautiful. This wonderful woman, who truly loves me, like I love her.
I take a deep breath. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Mom.”
“I know. Go.”
I lean down and gently kiss her forehead, surprising her.
I walk out of the room to find Ana.
Shit. That was heavy.
ANA’S NOT IN THE kitchen.
“Hey, bro, want a beer?” Elliot asks.
“In a minute. I’m looking for Ana.”
“She come to her senses and run off?”
“Fuck off, Lelliot.”
She’s not in the sitting room.
She wouldn’t leave, would she?
My room? I vault up the first flight of stairs, then up the second. She’s standing on the landing. I reach the top step and stop when we are eye to eye.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” she answers.
“I was worried—”
“I know,” she interrupts me. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t face the festivities. I just had to get away, you know. To think.” She caresses my face and I lean my cheek into her touch.
“And you thought you’d do that in my room?”
“Yes.”
Stepping up beside her, I reach out to her and we hold each other. She smells amazing…soothing, even. “I’m sorry you had to endure all that.”
“It’s not your fault, Christian. Why was she here?”
“She’s a family friend.”
“Not anymore. How’s your mom?”
“Mom is pretty fucking mad at me right now. I’m really glad you’re here, and that we’re in the middle of a party. Otherwise I might be breathing my last.”
“That bad, huh?”
Complete overreaction.
“Can you blame her?” Ana asks.
I consider this for a moment. Her best friend fucking her son.
“No.”
“Can we sit?”
“Sure. Here?”
Ana nods and we both sit down at the top of the stairs.
“So, how do you feel?” she asks.
I let out a deep breath.
“I feel liberated.” I shrug and it’s true. It’s like a weight has been lifted. No more worrying about what Elena thinks.
“Really?”
“Our business relationship is over. Done.”
“Will you liquidate the salon business?”
“I’m not that vindictive, Anastasia. No. I’ll gift them to her. I’ll talk to my lawyer Monday. I owe her that much.”
She gives me a quizzical look. “No more Mrs. Robinson?”