I season the steaks after checking the temperature of the charcoal grill on his back deck. He really is the man of my dreams because he has both a gas and a charcoal option, knowing damn well each one imparts a different flavor on the food.Be still my heart; he’s a foodie like me.I want to make sure everything’s ready by the time he gets home from work, so we can take the boat out and watch the sunset over the water after dinner.
The music playing on my phone stops, indicating an incoming call. I wipe my hands on a towel and retrieve the device from the table, noticing it’s my mother’s name flashing on the screen. I’ve been dodging her all week, responding only through texts with lame excuses about being busy at work. At this point,if I don’t take her call, she’s liable to hunt me down, and I’m not ready to leave my fantasy life just yet.
I swipe the screen and put the call on speakerphone. “Hi, Mother. How are you and Daddy?”
“Oh, now you have time to answer my calls?” I roll my eyes so hard it almost hurts.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been swamped. Did you need something?”
“Well, I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for days. Days, Mia.” Why? Why does she have to talk to me like this?
I quietly take a steadying breath. “Yes, Mother, I know. I’ve been working.”
“Have you, now?” Her voice is deceptively sweet, so I know she knows I’m lying. “Well, that’s odd, considering I was just at your office, and the receptionist said you weren’t there. In fact, you haven’t been there in almost two weeks.”Fuck.Her even tempo hasn’t changed, and I know she’s about to lay into me. “Where are you, Mia?” There it is, that “Mom” tone I was waiting for.
“I’m in Maple Ridge, Mother,” I reply quietly.
She gasps in delight, and I can envision her clutching her pearls right now. “Did a man whisk you away, out of the country? Oh, Mia, darling! Tell me all about him.”
Of course, that’s where her mind goes. Because Simone Davis is determined for her child to not only be a supreme success, but also on the arm of some highly sought-after bachelor.
“No, Mother. I’m in Maple Ridge. With Nana.” I don’t mention Jace because she’d never approve. Even though he’s amazing and treats me like a queen, it won’t matter to her. “I needed to… I don’t know, Mother. I just needed to think about what I want to do with my life. Maybe it’s time for a change.”
“You can’t be serious, Mia? A change? What on earth are you talking about?”
“You’re the one who wanted me at Kincaid Miller, and I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had there. But everything that I’ve achieved has been about what you wanted, not me.”
She scoffs in disbelief. “You’re being ridiculous, Mia. Clearly, you’ve been spending too much time with that old woman, and you need to come home.”
“You know what, Mother. I still want to be a writer. I’vealwayswanted to be a writer.”
“Are we back to that nonsense?” She sounds exasperated, but she continues. “Mia, you don’t have time for childish fantasies.” There’s her phrase of choice. “After everything your father and I have done for you, you should be so lucky to have the opportunities you’ve been afforded. Your father is a world-renowned surgeon, and we’ve given you a life that others would kill for. But you want to throw it all away.”
I see we’ve moved to her favorite part of the conversation now: guilt and shame. It’s almost like she follows a script, and quite frankly, I’m getting tired of it. “Mother, I’m very thankful for all you’ve done for me. And Daddy too. But I need to live my own life now. I can’t keep living the life you wantforme.”
She completely dismisses me and my feelings. “You’re just upset over Celeste’s divorce. Honey, we all are. Can you believe it? Cheating with the neighbor. It’s all over the country club. That poor girl. I know how close you two are at work.”
Is she even listening to me?
“Look, Mia. You’ve had your little vacation, and now it’s time to come home. Besides…” Her voice perks up, and I don’t think I’ll like where this conversation is headed next. “There’s a new doctor at the club, from New York. His name is Quincy, and everyone calls him Dr. Q. Isn’t that divine?”
“Quincy?” Unfortunately, she can’t see the horror on my face. What kind of name is that? “Mother… No. Just, no.”
“Yes,” she says excitedly. “A beautiful plastic surgeon with mahogany skin and a dazzling smile, Mia. I’ve already set up a date for you. I met him while Tilly and I were playing tennis. He’s expecting your call when you get back into town next week.”
“Mother, I?—”
She immediately cuts me off. “Youwillreturn to Atlanta, Mia. And youwillcall him.” Her words hang silently in the air. She lowers her tone before delivering her final blow. “I know you don’t want to disappoint me, Mia.”
“We’ll talk soon, Mother. I have to go.” My voice is resigned, and I feel so defeated.
“Yes, we’ll talk soon. Have a good night, dear.”
I end the call and set my phone down on the table, when all I really want to do is hurl it into the lake. I drop my head to my chest and rest my hands on my hips, taking slow breaths to calm my racing heart. But Jace’s deep timbre coming from the back door has me almost jumping out of my skin.
How long has he been standing there, and how much did he hear?
He’s leaning against the doorway, one ankle crossed over the other, his muscular, tattooed arms folded over his chest. From the looks of it, I’d say he’s been there a while. He’d make one sexy as hell image in his tight jeans and a fresh white t-shirt if he didn’t have a scowl on his face.
