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“That’s enough, Russell,” I said. “Now, if you’ll please excuse us, I have some things to discuss with my mother. I suggest since you’re lead counsel on this, you might want to start drawing something up for Ms. Stevens’s attorney to look over.”
Russell drew in a breath. “You’re right. I’ll get to work on that immediately. Mrs. Adams, Ms. Adams, enjoy your evening.”
He spun on his expensive-ass heels and retreated from my office. Once the door shut, I walked up to it and locked it, not at all certain that he wouldn’t have attempted to come back in.
I slowly turned around and leaned against the door. My mother was staring at me with a look of disbelief.
“Rory, is what Russell said true? Are you and Finn dating?”
I swallowed hard and glanced back at the flowers. She followed my stare and reached for the card. “Excuse me! Those are mine and you have no right to read that.”
She stopped herself from opening the card and thrust her hand out toward me. “Then you read it and tell me who they are from.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Jiggling the card in her hand, she motioned for me to come take it. “Well, come on. I’m waiting with bated breath to see who sent you these beautiful flowers.”
My hand pressed to my throat as I attempted to breathe. I hated Russell for putting me in this spot. Hated him with a passion.
“Rory!” she shouted whi
le I jumped practically out of my skin. I forced myself to put one foot in front of the other until I stopped on the far side of the desk. She still had the card thrust out. Slowly, I reached up for it and opened the card and read it to myself. Heat crept up my face while my heart danced in delight.
I can’t stop thinking about last night and how amazing it felt to be connected as one with you. I’m looking forward to Friday night. Love, Finn.
I drew in a sharp breath when I saw the word “love.”
“Who are they from, Rory?”
Lifting my gaze to meet hers, I replied, “You do realize I’m a grown woman and you have no right to demand this of me.”
Her features softened, and she took a step back and walked to the window. “I’m sorry. But the idea of you seeing someone and keeping it a secret…” She let out a harsh breath as she turned to face me.
“Why, Rory? Why keep it a secret?”
With a bitter laugh, I shook my head. “Are you serious, Mom? If Dad found out I was dating a firefighter, let alone Finn Ward, he’d fly off the handle. Kind of like what just happened here a second ago. I’m not a child. I have the right to decide who I’m going to date and who I’m not.”
She smiled, and I frowned. Was she upset? Why was she smiling?
“Oh, Rory honey, I don’t care who you date. I just want him to make you happy.”
Relief swept across my body as my shoulders relaxed. “He makes me so happy, Mom.” I glanced down to the flowers. “He makes me feel so alive. I didn’t realize I was lost until I found him.”
She opened her arms, and I walked into them. When she engulfed me in a hug, I started to cry. “I know Daddy isn’t going to understand, but I think I love him.”
“Oh, Rory! Are you sure? It might just be an infatuation. Or maybe the fact that this is the first man you’ve dated since college. You might be feeling things because they’re so new to you.”
Drawing back, I looked into her eyes. “They are new feelings. Feelings I’ve never experienced before. I’ve been on dates, Mom. I know the difference between a crush and what real love feels like.”
She closed her eyes and nodded before looking back at me. “I know. I’m sorry—this just all seems so sudden to me.”
“Well, probably because I’ve been keeping our relationship a secret.”
“For how long?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. A month, maybe close to two…ish.”
“Two months? Oh Lord. You’ve been lying to us for two months?”
