Maybe Later(86)

I regret not being open to the possibilities of more when we were together. I let Hazel slip away from me. Now, I’m missing the best part of myself and wondering how I’ll manage to regain her trust. Worst of all, I pushed her closer to the one person who can take her away from me.

“I’m going to fight for her. Wish me luck,” I whisper before heading out the door.





Springfling: A Romance Anthology





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About the anthology:

A kiss. Your touch. One wild night.

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*



Miller

As a businessman, I follow one mantra: Failure will never overtake me. I’m determined to succeed. Determination is one of my most significant tools. I thought I got it from my father who is a successful, award-winning urban architect. He’s quiet, observant, and wise; a man of few words. His practical advice when I’m about to lose a battle with my mother is, “she’s always right. Just do what she says.”

For the most part, I follow those wise words. Not today.

“Mom, I’m on a tight schedule, handling multiple deadlines.” I use the oldest excuse in my book. “We’re about to land two accounts. I can’t just take time off because my sister decided to elope.”

Clearing my throat, I continue, “Not that she’s eloping. By definition, elopement is marrying secretly, especially without parental consent. Why is she in such a hurry to get married anyway?”

Sorry, Lola, I have to throw a little shade your way to save my ass.

“She loves John,” Mom responds defensively. “Engagements don’t need to last long to be meaningful. It doesn’t take a long term relationship to realize that you’re with the love of your life. It’s time for you to grow up and find love too—the right person to spend the rest of your life with. One day I’ll die, and when I do, I want to go in peace, knowing my children are happy.”

“I’m happy, Mom,” I say, annoyed by the guilt trip. “You’re fifty-eight and healthy. Please, don’t start blackmailing me the way Grandma does to you.”

I tap on my desk, trying to keep my thoughts to myself. Women are unpredictable. I don’t claim to understand them, but there are a few things I’ve learned during my thirty-four years on this earth. One, they take it upon themselves to try to fix us whether or not we’re broken. Two, arguing with them is pointless. Three, they rarely take no for an answer.

Fighting with Mom is a losing battle 99.9% of the time, and she doesn’t understand the meaning of the word no. It’s not part of her vocabulary, unless, she’s the one saying it to us. My own mother is my biggest adversary, but I adore the woman. Crystal Archer isn’t to be taken lightly.

“Everybody dies, Miller. I could die right now and the last memory I’d take with me?” She pauses, and I take a big breath, staring out the window as I wait for her to hit me with the guilt trip. “You, refusing to go to your sister’s wedding.”

Clumps of wet snow drift mindlessly down. Large snow drifts cover the branches, buildings, and cars moving along the I-25 corridor. It’s just another day in Denver. A blinding sea of white beats against the asphalt. Leaving this cold city to enjoy a few days in tropical weather would be a smart move. Except, I’d have to deal with my family for four long days.

“Milo, sweetie,” she calls me by the nickname she’s used for me since I was four. I hate it so much. “I’m worried about you. I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy,” I say sighing. “I’ll be even happier if I can skip my sister’s wedding.”

“Are you dating again?” She doesn’t acknowledge my plea.

Am I dating? Fuck, why would I want to date? The last time I was in a relationship, it ended in a major disaster. Thank you, but no thank you.

“Because Kelly’s daughter is coming to the wedding. Remember her? Georgina Remington.”

“Mom, please don’t set me up.”

“She’s one of the bridesmaids.”

I don’t care who she is, do not set me up!

“Mom, I already have a girlfriend,” I lie. The last time I begged her not to set me up, she said, “Well, I have no choice since you spend your entire life at the office.”

“You do?” Her voice comes a little too excited.

“Of course, that’s why I’m asking you to stop setting me up. I don’t think my girlfriend would appreciate it.”

“Well, that changes everything,” she says.

I finally relax and get ready to say goodbye. “That settles it then, I’m off the hook. I’ll make sure to throw them a party once they’re back from their honeymoon.”

“Milo, this is your sister’s wedding. You can’t miss it. I expect you to be there tomorrow.”

“Mom, you can’t be serious, I have work to do. She can’t just snap her fingers and say, I’m getting married and expect everyone to drop everything to join her.”