Ruthless Rival (Cruel Castaways #1)(99)

“I don’t know,” she said thoughtfully. “I don’t usually drink coffee. Just put what you normally do in your coffee. I’m sure I’ll like it.”

I dumped two spoonfuls of sugar and extra cream into her cup. I had a feeling she needed the extra calories. I carried both our coffees to the living room and sat on a recliner in front of her. She took a careful sip. I found myself watching her closely. Her face relaxed after the first sip. Maybe she’d thought I’d poison her.

And if this were ten years ago, maybe I would have.

“That’s actually good.”

“Coffee is the nectar of the nine-to-fivers.” I sat back. “So why are you here?”

My mother put her cup down on the coffee table, turning toward me fully. “There’s a reason why I haven’t taken any of your calls, Arya. I spoke to your friend, Jillian, about it, but I asked her not to tell you.”

I almost dropped my coffee midsip. It was unlike my mother to get involved with any of my friends. In fact, I’d had no idea she was even aware of Jillian’s existence. Mom licked her lips fast, her words measured and well rehearsed. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently. I know I haven’t been the best mother. Or any sort of mother at all. I take full responsibility for that. But when things with Conrad began to unravel, the last thing I wanted was to become a liability to you on top of losing everything that I had. So . . . well, I got myself a job.”

My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. “You’re going to start working for us?”

My mother shook her head, laughing. “See? That is exactly why I wanted some time to pull myself together. No. I will not be taking a position with Brand Brigade. I found a job independently. Well, more or less.” She scrunched her nose. “You’re looking at the new administrative and marketing assistant for my country club! Granted, a country club I can no longer afford, but the offer is great and the health insurance is quite good, or so I’m told.”

A strange feeling swept over me. Like I was under warm water. Elation. Pride. And hope. So much hope.

“Mom.” I reached to grab her hand, squeezing it. “That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

Her eyes shone, and she nodded, taking another sip of her coffee. “Yes, and that’s not all. I filed for divorce yesterday. It’s over, Arya. I’m leaving your father, and he is moving to New Hampshire to live with his sister and her husband.”

“Oh, Mom!” I flung myself over her, burying my face into her shoulder. It took me a few seconds to realize I was sitting in her lap. I was a good five pounds heavier than her at this point, but when I tried to stand up, she pulled me back down, cupping my face with both her hands. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn’t help it. They just kept coming. But they felt good. Cleansing.

“I’m so sorry, Arya. All this time I’ve ignored you. Overlooked you. Gave myself excuses. That you and he had each other. That I was just standing in your way. That is all over, now. I have a new apartment, a new job, a new life. I know it’s late, but I hope it is not too late to be your mother.”

I shook my head sharply. “No. No.” I sniffed, pushing my head against her shoulder again. “Just don’t do that again. The thing where you disappear for days and weeks at a time. Even if you tell me things that I don’t want to hear. Even if it’s to tell me to back off and not butt into your business. Parent me, Mother.”

“I will, honey. I will.”





CHAPTER THIRTY


ARYA

Present

The next morning, I flicked my wrist and glanced at my watch, rearranging my skirt over my thighs for the millionth time. It was half past ten, and I was about to stand up and leave the restaurant where I was supposed to meet the potential client and Jillian.

The fact the client hadn’t come was bad enough. Purely unprofessional. But what irked me was that Jillian hadn’t shown up. Hadn’t even answered any of my calls. Just sent me a quick text saying something had come up and that she would love to hear all about the meeting when I came to the office afterward.

We must bag this one, Ari. She’s big $$$.

Well, heavy pockets or not, this Goodie woman wasn’t showing up.

I was waving for the waiter to get me the check when Mrs. Goodie finally made her grand entrance. More like barged into the tiny restaurant in an explosion of colors and laughter. She was talking on her phone, waving the hostess away when she tried to ask her if she was joining a party or needed a table.

She was, for lack of a better description, human Technicolor.

“. . . gotta run, honey. We should totally catch up while I’m in the city. Totally. Oops, here’s my date for the morning.” Mrs. Goodie waved at me with the tips of her fingernails, smiling brightly. “Gotta run. Yes. Tomorrow sounds good. I’ll have my PA talk to yours. Can’t wait to see you. Muah!”

She plopped on the seat in front of me, sighing as she grabbed my water glass and chugged the entire thing in one gulp. “As if I’m ever going to see that two-faced bitch again. Can you believe it? I stopped trying to figure out why people who hate me seek my company. The line between love and hate is fine indeed, but there’s no need to straddle it.”

I stared at her blankly.

“Oh!” She laughed, shaking her head as she flagged the waiter. I was pretty sure she blew a complete random a kiss. “I was late, wasn’t I? My apologies. I forgot how bad traffic is in the city.”