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But just as I’m about to pull her in my arms, we are interrupted by the doorbell ringing.
Whoever thought of popping over to my house—just as I’m about to devour the sweetest dessert known to man—is about to get a good telling-off.
“Are you expecting someone?” she asks curiously.
“No.” I shake my head. “Just hold that thought, sweetheart. This won’t take long.”
I kiss her temple before walking over to the door, ready to send whoever is on the other side on their merry way.
But when I swing the door open, I find the last person I want to see standing outside in the cold.
“Mom?”
“Hello, Nathan. Long time no see,” she greets with a familiar stern expression.
“What… what are you doing here? How did you find out where I live?”
“I’m your mother, Nathan,” she retorts scornfully. “Shouldn’t a mother know where her son lives?”
Most mothers, yes.
Just not mine.
“Well? Are you going to invite me in, or are you going to leave me out here in the cold?”
I’m about to tell her she can freeze out here for all I care when Lottie slides beside me.
“Did I hear you say that you’re Nate’s mother?” my girl asks with excitement. “I’m so happy to meet you. I’m Charlotte. Please come in,” Lottie adds, all smiles, oblivious to the snake she’s letting into our slice of heaven.
My mother looks Lottie up and down with distaste, not even bothering to introduce herself, only too happy to accept her invitation into our home. My hands ball up into fists at my side as I watch the woman—who used to look the other way while herhusband used me as his favorite punching bag—stroll into my house as if she owns it.
“I see you’ve done very well for yourself,” my mother states with an arctic tone as she scans every inch of my home, just to turn around and glare distastefully at the woman standing by my side. “How… lovely.”
I gently push a confused Lottie behind me, standing between her and my mother’s glower.
“What do you want?”
“Now you’re concerned with my wants and needs? Aren’t you a little late for that party, Nathan?” she sneers.
“You’re here, so you must want something.”
“I’m only here because you won’t pick up my phone calls,” she retorts with arsenic in her voice. “Besides, I thought it’s only fair that I show up at your door since you didn’t think twice before breaking into mine.”
My chest starts to constrict as the hazel eyes that mirror mine narrow their gaze.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”
“Actually, I didn’t think of you at all,” I counter.
“No. You never do,” she tuts, displeased. “You were always such a selfish child. It’s no wonder that you turned into a selfish man. Just like your father.”
I shake my head at the insinuation, feeling my blood starting to freeze in my veins, as I bite back, “Don’t—”
“Don’t what, Nathan? Don’t speak my truth in front of your little friend here?” my mother scowls. “Are you scared she’ll learn who you really are and leave you? Trust me, son, floozies like her don’t care who you are or what you do to them as long as the money keeps rolling in.”
I feel Lottie is about to bypass me and give my mother a piece of her mind, but I make sure to step in her way, not wanting my mother to have Lottie in her crosshairs.
“I’m losing my patience, Mother. Just tell me what you want and be done with it.”
