My Summer in London (My Summer #1)(11)

I wished for a do-over since Cruz was great with me before I moronically kissed him. If I could restart, this moment was as good as any. I just had to cough up the strength and get over my pride.

Glancing across the table, I cleared my throat, ready to wave the white flag of surrender simply to be on friendly terms again.

“You seem to have started your day early. Did you just come back from working in the office?”

Without bothering to look up from his reading material, he responded, “No, I came from my own place, though I stay here infrequently during weekends from time to time.”

So he had left last night.

“Oh. Okay.” That made sense, I supposed. He was, after all, a grown man whose age I still hadn’t discovered.

Before I had the chance to inquire, Margery strolled in with a soft smile on her face.

“Mother.” Cruz smiled at her before getting up from his seat and striding to meet her. Then he guided her to the head of the table, pulling out the chair and waiting for her to take her seat before retreating back to his own. “You’re looking better today, Mum. That new prescription worked better as opposed to the first one, I take it?”

“Yes, my dear son. There’s no need to fret. I’m fine … Really, I am.” She reached out to touch her son’s hand then lightly tapped it, as if to reassure him. They shared a moment of understanding before she turned her attention towards me, bestowing me the same warm smile. “How did last night go? I hope you had fun,” she asked without taking her eyes off me, as though she was waiting for my immediate response.

Fun? Yeah, way too much if I say so myself.

Pasting a strained smile on, I had to squash that small, guilty feeling that surfaced out of nowhere, catching me off guard. “It was good fun.”

“Good.” She nodded, assured, then murmured a kind thank you to her son who had just made her coffee, complete with milk and sugar. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend the Ainsworth’s party tonight. Do you mind going with just Ivy?” She expectantly glanced over her son while Cruz simply bore an impassive look.

Who was Ivy? His girlfriend? f*uk. Well, why was he being all too friendly with me at the bar then? I wouldn’t dare flirt with anyone’s man. I wasn’t that twisted a thrill seeker.

Clearing his throat, he nodded. “I will have to check with her. If anything, I could go by myself.”

Margery’s face turned soft, still gazing at him like she was expecting something more. “I don’t mean to pry, but have you two set a date yet? It’s been almost eight months since the engagement and still no word when the wedding will be.”

I choked on the scalding hot coffee that was about to be washed down my throat. Softly tapping my chest, I forced myself to breathe before croaking out, “Excuse me.”

“Are you all right, dear?” Margery held my hand, worriedly eyeing me as if I was about to faint or something. Well, thank goodness I didn’t. That would have been embarrassing. I didn’t need any more reasons to feel humiliated.

“I’m fine. Thank you.” I made a pained smile, hoping it was enough to convince her to get back to prying into her son’s personal life.

ENGAGED? f*uk me. f*uk me bad.

What had I been thinking? I knew it. Cruz was too good to be true. Sigh.

Much to my dismay, Cruz skipped answering his mother. Instead, he spoke about employees and business dealings and prospects.

While he engaged his mother with business updates, I, on the other hand, wanted to know more. I felt as though I was owed answers. It was stupid to think this way, yet it was how I felt. It was hard to justify why that was.

Throughout the time he was with me, he never once mentioned anything about Ivy or his engagement. I wouldn’t have missed that kind of info, knowing how glued I was to him last night, so why had he not disclosed this major factor?

“Serena?” Margery gave me an expectant look.

I blinked a few times, wondering what I had missed. “Sorry, what?” I mumbled, hoping I hadn’t offended her with my flighty mind.

“Your mother mentioned that you needed internship hours. I thought it would be a brilliant idea if Cruz takes you under his wing. It would be a good opportunity for you—”

“Wait, Mum, we need—” he tried to argue, looking ready to combust, but Margery was unrelenting.

“I know it might be odd and difficult for you for a short while, but you will get used to it. Besides, Serena’s like family. Her mother and I agreed that it would be a fantastic prospect for her. It’s already agreed upon. Let’s not try making me break my word to my friend. ”

Obviously seeing the tension in Cruz’s reaction, I knew I had to pacify the situation.

“I don’t think that’s necessary, Margery, but thank you. My school offers a list of companies that will gladly open their arms for these things.”

“Are you implying that my company won’t be the best candidate for internships? Because let me assure you, it wouldn’t be featured in Fortune Global 500 if it weren’t,” Cruz justified with pride and a dash of arrogance.

Well, I had no idea what I was declining to begin with. But Fortune Global 500? f*uk. Having that attached to my resume would be beyond impressive; it would be astounding.

“I wasn’t trying to be rude. I just thought it would be better if you weren’t forced to do it out of kindness to me and my mom.” It was too obvious he didn’t want me working for him, and I couldn’t fault him for that. It was his company, after all, so it was his decision, plain and simple.