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Now, I would have to make a special trip out to the manor, setting me back again. Was that Graham’s plan? Was he hoping to delay my return to New York indefinitely?
Well, then he was in for a rude awakening.
“What has Mr. Hilborne done now?”
“Graham seems to think I’m going to stay in California forever to care for his daughter.”
My mom actually laughed. “Is that right? I told you he was a stubborn man.”
“Mom, it’s not funny. I’m not staying.”
“Then it’s up to you to put your foot down,” she reasoned. “Though I’ll be sad to see you go. It’s been wonderful having you here as it makes me so nostalgic for less complicated times.”
“What’s complicated about right now? You’re about to retire, and you can do anything and everything you want with your time. Your new condo is amazing, and I bet you’ve already gotten a bunch of matches from your dating profile. The person who made it for you is pretty good at what she does.”
My mom blushed brightly. “I don’t know if I’m going to agree to any dates with these strangers.”
“You’re going to be fine,” I promised her. “Plus, you’ll have loads of time to figure it out. And I’m always just a call or text away if you have any questions. Or if you want me to suggest responses to the messages you get. As long as they’re rated PG.”
“Uh-huh. And I’m sure you’ve been getting double the amount of men interested in your profile.” My mom gave me a sharp look. “When are you going to move on, Heather?”
“Everything is still really fresh,” I admitted to her. “I’m not ready. I’ll keep the app for now, but I’m not so sure I’m going to use it. Eventually, maybe. But right now, no.”
“And what about Graham?” My mom chuckled. “Now that’s a match you don’t need a computer for. Or a smartphone dating app. You’re already practically in a relationship.”
“There’s nothing between Graham and me.” It was a falsehood, and we both knew it, my mom pressing her lips together and me refusing to grant her eye contact.
“You never were a good liar.” She sighed and rearranged herself noisily in her chair.
I darted a glance at her, not willing to argue the point. I didn’t know which of my features gave it away except for my utter exasperation at the crap that came up. “We might have some chemistry, but it’s just not happening. I’m going back to New York.”
“Alone? That’s going to be hard, Heather.”
“You’re never really alone in the city,” I argued.
“You are if you lose both your fiancé and best friend in a single act.”
I deflated completely. “How long have you known?”
“You and Shauna were inseparable. I thought it was odd that you weren’t on the phone with her at all hours since you’ve been here. And you never mentioned her, either. It wasn’t hard to figure out.” My mom reached over from her chair and tweaked my cheek. “Like I said. You’ve never been able to pull off a good lie, not even one of omission.”
“I’ve got to go,” I said, standing abruptly. “I have to make sure Graham doesn’t do anything else to sabotage the search for a new nanny. I’m sure I can contain some of the carnage if I move fast.”
“Think about staying, Heather,” my mom said quietly. “You can do a whole lot worse than Graham Hilborne. And you’d have family here, too. There’s nothing for you in New York anymore. Be smart about it, Heather.”
I didn’t feel like addressing how much those words chilled me. “I’ll talk to you later.” I thought I’d caught a cold—that’s how deep the shudder was.
“Just think about it.”
“I’m not ready,” I said so softly that I wasn’t sure my mom heard it. I grabbed my keys and all but ran for the door, unwilling to wait for her response to my admission.
She’d probably accuse me of not taking my own advice.
* * *
When I stormedinto Graham’s house, right at sunset, I wasn’t prepared for the atmosphere inside. The lights had been turned off, and the window shades were thrown open to let in the gilded orange light. Here and there, lit candles provided a little ambiance, supplemented by a light jazz riff playing over the manor’s sound system. What threw me for the biggest loop, however, was the absolutely mouth-watering aroma emanating from the kitchen.
“Come on in,” Graham said, closing the door behind me as I stomped inside, ready to do battle for the autonomy of my future. I belatedly realized he was wearing an apron. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
