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“I was. But I met someone and we’re going to spend some time together. We might even get married.”
Her mother stayed silent. Never a good sign.
“Mom?” Rylee asked after several long seconds.
“I’m here, honey. Are you sure? How long have you known this man?”
“How do you know it’s a man?” Her voice took on an edge that only her mother could bring out in her.
“So, you’re a lesbian now?”
She sighed. “No, Mom. I’m not a lesbian. I’ve known him for a couple of weeks. But I’m in love.”
“Oh, Rylee. Don’t be ridiculous. Come home. I can pay for your ticket.”
Rylee snorted. She’d been bailing her mom out of financial jams since she graduated from college.
“Honestly, Rylee. You’re so impulsive. Why are you like this?”
“Says the woman who put half her life savings into a venture that turned out to be a scam. Can you just be happy for me, Mom? He has offices in Arizona, even has a house there. I’ll bring him home soon.”
“So, he’s rich?”
She could practically hear the opportunism in her mother’s voice.
“Listen. I only called to tell you I’m not coming home for a while. But I’m here if you need me.”
“What’s his name?”
“I’ll tell you later. No running background checks on my boyfriend. Let me be happy and in love for a little while before you start grilling me.”
“I only want what’s best for you, sweetheart.”
She sighed. “I know, Mom. I should get off here. He’ll probably be home soon.” Not exactly the truth. It would probably be another few hours before he got home. But she was done talking with her mother right now.
“Wait,” her mom said as her finger hovered over the end call button. “Promise me you won’t have a wedding without me.”
Rylee groaned. “I promise.” It wasn’t a promise she was sure she could keep because if Memphis walked in and told her he wanted to get married tonight she would do it, but her mom didn’t need to know that.
She ended the call and flopped back on the mattress, unsure of what to do next. The house seemed eerily quiet without Memphis and his attorney moving around.
Tightening the belt on her robe, she stood and made her way downstairs to find something to eat. When she’d made a sandwich, she sat in the den and flipped through channels on the TV. “Ah fuck,” she muttered when she hit a local news program. There was footage of Memphis carrying her out of the Pink Sapphire. He justhadto be dramatic, didn’t he? If this footage made it to Arizona where Memphis’s headquarters were, there was no way her mother wouldn’t know who she was seeing before midnight.
She sent a text to Memphis.
Looks like we made the evening news
She stared at the screen for several seconds, hoping for an immediate response. When she didn’t see dancing dots, she set the phone aside and focused on the TV. She’d switched it to a World Series of Poker tournament. Though she’d been on the circuit for a few years now, she hadn’t made it on to too many televised events. The only reason she wanted that was because it meant she was winning and making a splash. She was good at what she did, even considered herself top tier, but there hadn’t been enough opportunities to play with the elites she was watching on screen now. Someday, her name would be on the list of WSoP winners. She was sure of it.
Rylee checked her phone after she finished her sandwich, but there was still no response from Memphis. Feeling caged in, she jogged up the stairs and discarded her robe, exchanging it for jeans and a sweater. After lacing up her shoes, she went outside intent on exploring the grounds behind the house. Some fresh air would hopefully help.
Her phone buzzed as she walked, and she glanced at the screen, hoping for a message from Memphis. It was her mom calling instead. She rolled her eyes but answered the call.
“Rylee, your aunt Vicky says you’re on the news with Memphis Foster. He was carrying you out of the hotel. Is this the man you’re seeing?”
She sighed. “Damn it, Mom. Aunt Vicky needs to mind her business.”
“Language, Rylee, honestly. Are you going to answer me?”
