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“No. Just-“ She spread her hands. “I just need to know.”
“Need?”
“Yes, dammit, need. We’re going to be parents together and this – your past – your life was so sad. Or was it?” She frowned at him. “I never did buy the poor little rich boy deal.”
“It is a thing.” He shrugged. “I stopped trying to get through to her a long time ago and on the plus side, Dad was there as much as he could be. He’d fly over for visits and there were the summers we spent at the cabin. Seeing you was the highlight of my miserable life.”
“Just bite me.”
Before she could pick up her wineglass, he reached over and bit her lightly on the cheek.
“You asked for it.” He reminded her when she glared at him. Rubbing her cheek, she went back to the question.
“Are you going to tell me or not?”
Settling back on the stool, he pushed away his plate. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Absolutely nothing.” He repeated. “Dad called and told me she was in the hospital. And then three days later I got another call that she’d died.”
“Were you planning on flying back for a visit?”
“I was in the middle of a delicate negotiation with some people from Eastern Europe and couldn’t leave. Or didn’t want to leave.”
“It would have looked strange if the only son of Eleanor Randall did not show up to say goodbye.”
“I said my goodbyes when I turned thirteen and was leaving.” He said mildly.
“Did she ever call you while you were away?”
“No. Regular reports were sent every quarter and I supposed that was good enough for her. Dad said she read them religiously and I guess I kept my end of it and didn’t disgrace the family name.”
She shook her head. “She was your mother. I can’t for the life of me understand how she couldn’t want to have anything to do with you.”
“Beats the hell out of me.” Reaching across the counter, he took her hands in his. “We’re going to be wonderful parents.”
“Maybe adequate.” She shook her head. “You’re right, we’re making the decision right now that we’re going to be kick ass parents.”
Lifting her hands, he kissed her knuckles. “I agree. There’s something else.”
“What is that?”
“Are we through with the meal?”
“I lost my appetite when you started to tell me about your crappy childhood.”
“Sorry?”
She lifted one shoulder. “I forgive you. What’s the thing?”
“I’m spending the night.”
“Look- “
“I’m not leaving.” His fingers tightened on hers. “We have that doctor’s appointment tomorrow and it makes sense that we leave together.”
She glared at him. “You just want sex.”
