Page 97 of Bound To Be Mine

“I’m sure it will be. Bernadette showed me some of your work. You’re very talented.”

Mandy flushed slightly at the compliment. “Thank you. I love what I do.”

“That’s important,” Mom said. “Doing work that fulfills you. Your father always said that, Briggs. He believed in doing work that mattered.”

I nodded, swallowing around the sudden lump in my throat. “He did.”

“He’d be so proud of all of you,” Mom continued, her eyes sweeping around the table. “Look at this family. Look at what you’ve built. The company is thriving, you’re all happy—well, mostly happy—and the family is growing.” Her eyes landed on Bucky. “I never thought I’d be a grandmother. Your father and I used to joke that you boys would be bachelors forever.”

“Hey,” Dash protested. “I’m still young. I have time.”

“Tell us about your charity work, Mom,” Adrian said. “Last we talked, you were doing something with the schools?”

Mom’s face lit up. “Oh, yes. We’ve been working on a lunch program for children who don’t have the means. So many kids go hungry during the school day, and it breaks my heart. We’ve managed to get funding to provide meals in three districts so far.”

“That’s amazing,” Mandy said.

“It’s a start,” Mom said modestly. “But I’m thinking bigger. I want to expand it citywide, maybe even statewide. Every child deserves to eat, regardless of their family’s financial situation.”

“That’s a huge undertaking,” I said.

“It is. But I think we can do it. I’ve been talking to some other organizations, looking at grant opportunities. It’s going to take work, but it’s worth it.”

I felt a surge of pride. This was my mother. Always thinking of others, always trying to make the world a little better.

“If you need legal help with the nonprofit structure, let me know,” I offered.

“I will, thank you.” She smiled at me. “You’re a good son, Briggs.”

Dessert was apple pie, warm from the oven with vanilla ice cream melting on top. I was so full I could barely move, but I ate it anyway because this was Mom’s pie and refusing it was not an option.

“So,” Mom said casually, too casually, as she sipped her coffee. “What are your plans with this arrangement?”

I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth.

The table went silent. Even Bucky seemed to sense the shift in atmosphere and stopped fussing.

“Mom,” I started, but she held up a hand.

“I’m not judging. You’re both adults. You made your choices. I just want to know what the plan is. Are you getting divorced? Staying married? What?”

I looked at Mandy. She looked at me. Neither of us seemed to know what to say.

“We haven’t really discussed it,” I said finally.

“Haven’t discussed it,” Mom repeated. “You’ve been living together for weeks and you haven’t discussed the future?”

“It’s complicated,” Mandy offered.

“Is it?” Mom’s eyes moved between us, and I saw the moment she understood. “Or is it not so fake anymore?”

My heart was pounding. I could feel everyone’s eyes on us, waiting for an answer.

“It’s—we’re—” I stumbled over the words, not sure what to say. Not sure what I was allowed to say.

“We’re figuring it out,” Mandy said quietly.

Thankfully, Mom dropped the subject after that.