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This wasn’t simple anymore, none of it.
Especially now that I’d met Vincent’s family. It had quickly become obvious that he’d been talking to them about me, and the realization was both intimidating and strangely comforting. Stephan and Vera had made me feel instantly welcome, as if I’d been having dinner with them for years. Little Kristy started crying when we had to leave because she and I hadn’t gotten the chance to play with her dolls, and could only be consoled when I promised to come for a visit again soon to play.
Was it even fair of me to promise that? Was it right for me to be building relationships with his family when I wasn’t even sure how long our own would last?
But when Vincent mentioned New York, I swear the entire world stopped for a split second. A world of possibilities — of hopes, fears, and what-ifs — flooded me in an instant. And the tide hadn’t receded yet.
Mom kept her eyes on me suspiciously all morning, although I had no idea what I’d done to deserve it. It was like having an angry cat follow me around; I was surprised she wasn’t hissing every time she saw me. Something had pissed her off, and soon enough, I’d find out what it was.
At least work allowed me to avoid her for a few hours.
Since I’d missed my Monday morning meeting, my boss scheduled a one-on-one Zoom call so she could catch me up to speed. After giving me the rundown on our current clients and upcoming design projects, she brought up a client I’d been working with over the past few weeks.
“Mr. Krazinski had nothing but praise for you, Jessica,” she said. “He was incredibly pleased with your correspondence and said you were very professional.”
Mr. Krazinski had been such a difficult client, I’d been convinced he hated me. But he was also a repeat customer, someone who’d been working with the Smith-Davies Firm for years, so impressing him was crucial. It had taken every ounce of patience and professionalism I had in me, but I’d managed to do it.
“How are you feeling about your upcoming review?” she said. “You’ve been with us for almost six months already.”
“I’m feeling good,” I said. “I’ve been working on expanding my portfolio like you suggested, and I’m really excited to show you what I’ve been working on.”
“Excellent to hear that, Jessica. I look forward to it. The other partners and I have been giving a lot of thought into hiring you full-time.” She tipped down her glasses, peering at me with a smile. “Is that something that’s still of interest to you?”
“Oh yes!” It was a struggle to rein in my excitement. “Absolutely, I’m still interested.”
“Wonderful. Well then, I’ll see you during our Friday meeting and we can get your review scheduled.”
I practically floated out of my bedroom after work. I had customers giving me praise, my boss was clearly pleased with me. Getting that promotion felt closer than ever. I was so excited, I had to call Ashley to tell her the good news.
As I spoke on the phone, I fixed myself a snack in the kitchen. Mom’s eyes were boring into the back of my head the entire time, latched on to me like missiles prepared to fire. Every time I turned around and made awkward eye contact with her, I knew something was coming.
The moment I clicked off my phone and turned to head back upstairs, she said, “Did you have a good weekend with your friends?”
I turned. She was sitting at the table, her phone in one hand with a glass of sweet tea in front of her. She was smiling big, her voice was upbeat and friendly.
Red flags. Red flags everywhere,
“It was great,” I said. “A lot of fun.”
“Who all were there?” She asked it so casually, it was almost as if she didn’t care.
Almost.I knew better.
“Quite a few people,” I said. “You probably don’t remember them, so...”
“Danielle and Candace?” she said, tweaking up a perfectly-plucked eyebrow. “You said they were going, didn’t you?”
“Yep, they were there.” This felt like an interrogation, and I really wanted to make a quick getaway. She was still smiling, and it was starting to unnerve me. Sometimes, she’d pretend to be in a good mood to lull me into a false sense of security.
Then she’d rip me to shreds once my guard was down.
“Well, you wouldn’t believe the weekend I’ve had!” she exclaimed. She pushed out a chair, motioning for me to sit.
With a tense smile, I set my plate down and sat as she launched into an in-depth account of everything she did while I was gone. Shopping trips with friends, brunch, dinner, cocktails. I listened without getting a single word out, but Mom wasn’t looking for conversation.
It was weird to simultaneously feel like she was trying to be my best friend and my manager. But she had always been that way. She wanted the comradery of someone who was obligated to please her; who better than her daughter?
I zoned out, distracting myself with memories of the weekend. The feeling of the cool river water washing over my naked skin as Manson and Lucas held me was so fresh in my mind. It made me feel lighter, and when I thought of Vincent’s sweet kisses and my conversation with Jason under the stars, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
