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“Hey, Mom… Mike,” I say.
“How are you both?” Callie asks.
Aiden shrugs. Callie takes Aiden outside to sit at the table on the deck. I think they need a moment.
“He’s not doing so well, is he?” Mike asks while helping me with the coffee.
I shake my head. “I’m devastated for Aiden and can only imagine how he’s feeling right now,” I tell Mike quietly.
Mike furrows his brows, and he wraps his arm around me. Causing me to smile. “I know he’s glad he has you, Mike.”
We walk outside and sit at the table to listen to Callie and Aiden talking about the funeral arrangements.
Aiden’s phone rings, and he takes it from his pocket and answers, “Hello. Yes, hi, Marissa,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “Yes, I was going to call you. Sorry, it slipped my mind today.” He looks down to his lap as he rubs his temple. “Of course, come by in the morning, and we’ll sort something out.” He looks over at me. “Thanks, Marissa, see you then.” Aiden ends the call and places his phone back in his pocket, turning to his mother.
“I’ll go and check on dinner,” I say, and head off inside. My phone rings, and I raise a brow. Seems like the phones never stop ringing.
I walk over to the counter and answer. “Hello?”
“Hi, darling, how are you feeling?” Mom asks.
“I’m fine. Callie and Mike are here for dinner. She’s talking to Aiden about the funeral,” I tell her sullenly.
“Mmm… yeah, not a nice thing to talk about, but I guess you have to have one if you want to say goodbye. Personally, I hope no one turns up.”
“Mom,” I warn sternly.
“Well, it’s true. After what he did to you, he deserves a minimal send-off,” she says honestly, and it makes me sigh.
“I’ll be going to support Aiden, and I’d like it if you came to support me,” I say truthfully.
“Of course… but only for you. When is it?”
“Wednesday, two o’clock.”
“I’ll be there. Take care of yourself… and Aiden. If you need anything, I’m always here for you. Don’t you ever forget that,” she says.
“Thanks, Mom. I won’t. Talk soon.”
Aiden comes inside to pour himself a drink and check on me. “Who was that?”
“Mom,” I reply, walking over and giving him a hug.
Dinner, although somber, we make the best of it and enjoy each other’s company.
The morning is glorious, but we’re both still recovering, so we lay in bed together, resting and cuddling until we hear the doorbell chime.
“Fuck. That’ll be Marissa,” Aiden says, jumping out of bed, throwing on some jeans and a polo shirt. He rushes downstairs while I casually rise, get dressed, and slowly make my way to meet them. My muscles still aren’t up to scratch, and the pain is crazy.
“Hi, Marissa,” I greet as I meander into the kitchen.
“Hello, Miss Taylor, lovely home you have here,” she offers.
“Thank you, but it’s all Aiden’s handy work. He chose everything.”
“Jeni and I were thinking, seeing as you are no longer working at Father’s mansion, you might like to come work for us?” Her eyes widen, and she smiles. “We’d like you to look after the household the same as you did at my old apartment. What do you say?” Aiden asks.
“Of course, that would be fantastic. Thank you, both. I look forward to working with you, Miss Taylor, and being back in your employment, Mr. O’Connell.” She’s so formal it makes me want to giggle. But I don’t, of course.
