“They’re great.” I think that should be my answer. I have my pick of colleges with a new chapter in my life. Great doesn’t sound right, but I don’t know what else to say.
“Your father remarried.” Oh no. Here we go. I hope this is not what this is about.
“Yes, to a woman named Grace. They’re good together. He’s happy.” Her lips purse, but she hides it quickly. I don’t understand her. I didn’t think she wanted to be with my father, so why would she care? “How about you? Are you happy? Is there a special someone in your life?”
“There is a special someone. To be honest with you, Emily, I’ve been working on myself and well, that special someone is you. I want us to try to get close again.” I open and then close my mouth. I’m not sure how to respond. I pick up the tea to stall my response. “I know you have your pick of colleges, but have you thought about Université PSL?”
“In Paris?” No, I hadn’t thought of that one. A few girls from Bradford are going there. I’d filled out an application the same as I did for a ton of colleges and gotten into them all. That Score name can do just about anything.
“I thought it might be a good place for us to start over.”
“I really don’t know what to say to all of this.” I thought we would take this whole getting reacquainted with one another thing slowly but obviously that’s not her train of thought.
“How about you think about it but keep it between us for now. Your brother can be—”
“Your son, Mom,” I correct her. She gives a stiff nod.
“I know he’s my son. I miss him too, but I think we still need some time.”
“I’ll think about it,” I give. Paris doesn’t sound terrible, but I wouldn’t be picking it because of my mom fully. It would be a fresh start. To get out of the social scene that can dominate here in the States. Especially if Chase is going to be getting married. I really don’t want to be around for any of that.
“We could do a quick trip. A girls’ weekend. Give it a test run.” Mom is all smiles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile this much in my life, but it’s been a long time since I saw her. I know I need to be careful with her, but I can’t help but to begin to soften a bit. If she really wants to try to repair our relationship, I should at least be open to the idea.
“All right,” I agree. A longer weekend away might be nice. It will give me a chance to clear my head.
“I’ll make the arrangements and text you all the details.” Mom stands, giving me another one of her strange air kisses. I don’t know why it bothers me, but it does. I watch her leave the little shop before I go up and order myself a real drink and grab a slice of lemon pound cake before heading back to my own car.
As I start to get in, I swear I spot the same woman from the other night at my father's birthday. She jogs by in workout gear. I shake it off, thinking I’m crazy. When I get into my car, I smile when I see Chase has been blowing up my phone.
What if I did give in to him too? What would it hurt to allow myself one night of fun? I could work him out of my system and then truly let him go.
11
Chase
“What do you mean you don’t know who she was with?” I try to keep the irritation out of my voice. I’m starting to unravel, and I know it. It’s getting hard to do my job. Thankfully, I have a solid team around me to pick up my slack.
I had no clue that the distance I’d kept from Emily over the years helped keep me together. Now that I can taste how close she is, everything inside of me is changing. The waiting is eating me alive at this point. I’ve always been protective and jealous over others who got her attention. Even a bit obsessive, but this is something else altogether.
“Sir, it was only a blond woman. They had tea and hugged and left.” Okay, that’s not too bad. Still doesn’t stop my jealousy. Why can’t she be having tea with me? I’ll take her little ass to London and get her the best damn tea of her life. I make myself calm down before I do something irrational. I’m sure she went out with a friend. She did get out early today. “The woman seemed older, but it was hard to tell and still keep my distance.”