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“It is good, but it’s not that…exciting,” I challenged.
“Yeah, Daddy. It’s boring. But he always gets that, Cassie. Every time.” Together we walked to go sit on a park bench, and Brad sat between us.
“I just don’t think vanilla deserves as much hate as it gets in the world. I am on team Vanilla.”
I burst out laughing. “Dude, that is so lame,” I said, putting a big spoonful of ice cream into my mouth.
Brad looked at me, his eyes moving to my lips and where I sucked on the spoon. I knew what we would be doing that night, and for a few seconds, I couldn’t wait for the day to be over.
“Whatever,” he said, rolling his eyes, and Camilla giggled.
“Cassandra, darling!” The familiar voice made my blood run cold, and I froze, a spoonful halfway to my mouth.
No, no, no, no, no.
I could say no for as long as I wanted, but it still didn’t erase the image of my mother coming toward us, waving at me, dressed in her oddly sexy yoga outfit, a bag slung over one shoulder.
Hesitantly, I waved.
“Who’s that?” Brad whispered.
“My mom.”
Slowly, I stood up. I had been worried about being my mom last night and today, hanging out with a billionaire and sleeping in his lavish apartment, getting treated like a queen, and now that feeling rushed to the surface. I knew she’d congratulate me about it if she found out he was my boss.
“How are you?” She grabbed me tight and kissed my cheek, and I hugged her loosely.
“Hi, Mom. I pointed to Brad and Camilla. “This is Brad Foster, and this is his daughter, Camilla.”
“Oh, what a pleasure to meet you both!” She grinned at Camilla and then held out a hand to Brad, fluttering her eyelashes at him. “Enchanté.”
He took it, looking a little unnerved, but he smiled handsomely, and I knew my mother’s knees would buckle.
“This is my mother. Sandy Williams.”
“Nice to meet you, Sandy,” Brad said.
“Nice to meet you,” Camilla added politely.
“Aren’t you darling? So, you’re in the park for…ice cream?” She looked down at my cup and looked between us.
My mother cared only about looking good. Ice cream was high on the list of big no-nos. But wine, of course, was totally fine.
“Yep. Just out for the afternoon,” I said tightly, wishing she’d leave as soon as possible.
“You know,” she said, in a purr that I knew all too well, turning to Brad. “Foster. I know that name. Are you Dr. Foster?”
“Yes,” he said with a nod.
I could see our ice creams were melting by the minute. I just wanted to get back to the little bubble of a day I had for myself. I didn’t want to think about reality.
“Oh, I know your first wife, Joyce! My, I had no idea we were connected. You’re Jason’s father, then.”
I wanted to throw my ice cream and run away. Brad nodded, looking only slightly ruffled.
“Yes, that’s me. I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve ever met, though.”
“No, we’re a recent acquaintance. A shame to hear about her illness.” My mother frowned but only briefly. “So delightful to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” My mother reached out a hand and clasped onto Brad’s bicep.
