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FUCK!
“I hope it all works out in the end,” I mutter.
For all of us.
“Yeah, me too. Now come on, let’s get back to the party. You’re the host and you’ve been absent most of the evening.”
He walks on ahead in his tux and it hits me just how alike he and his mother are. Not just looks. He got his wanderlust from her, as well. Kathy really liked to travel. As Asher walks away from me, I decide then that there won’t be a memorial party next year. Maybe we’ll have a small family gathering to commiserate Kathy but it doesn’t have to be an over-the-top party that doesn’t benefit anyone but me. Having Asher here really makes me feel guilty about it. He and his mother were close and the party, although is suppose to honor her, can poke at wounds we are all trying to heal.
The truth is, the party has always been an excuse for me to think about Kathy and honor her without feeling any guilt. I surround myself with everything that she loved so I can go back to trying to forget her the next day.
But I can’t do that anymore. By the time the anniversary of her death rolls around next year, hopefully, I’ll have moved on. I suppose I can have the conversation with our kids and see what they really think.
CHAPTER20
Juliette
Ididn’t think it was possible, but my day actually gets progressively worse.
As soon as I finish tucking the kids into bed at the Callahan mansion, my phone starts ringing. It’s my mom. I would ignore it, but I know she’s not going to stop calling until I pick up. With a sigh, I answer and hope to God the conversation is short.
“Hello, Mother,” I greet.
“Juliette,” she purrs, sounding extremely happy, which immediately raises my suspicions. “How are you, honey?”
“I’m fine?” I say like a question. “What do you want, Mom?”
After the events of today, I just want to lie in bed and sleep. I’m deeply exhausted. Although I might not be able to sleep, considering the thoughts floating around in my head.
“Oh, nothing, dear. I just wanted to ask after your general well-being,” she says sweetly.
“You’ve literally never done that,” I state dryly. “So come on, spit it out. Say what you really want to.”
“Brat,” she hisses. “Anyway, your dad and I heard some really interesting news.”
“Which is?”
“You know how connected we are in Richmond,” she brags and I sigh, waiting for her to get to the point. “Anyway, some people from your dad’s office asked if we were aware you were dating someone these days. Of course, we had no idea because you never talk to us.”
I clench my jaw as I realize where this is going. “Mother…”
“Imagine our surprise when they said you’ve been spotted around the city, hanging out with none other than,” she pauses for dramatic effect, “Alexander Callahan!”
She squeals loudly and I have to shift my phone from my ear so she doesn’t deafen me.
“So,” she prompts when I don’t say a word, “are you dating one of the richest men in the city? I mean, he’s a little old and a widower, but if you are, you won’t hear any complaints from me. Juliette?”
“I’m not talking to you about this,” I mutter.
“Does that mean you’re dating?” she asks excitedly.
“Mom, I’m tired, okay? Can I call you back?”
She’s already protesting, but I ignore it as I hurriedly hang up. This is just great. If my mom has heard about Xander and me, then lots more people will have heard, too. And Asher’s probably going to find out soon, as well.
I think about what he said right before I left the party. He told me he had something to say, something important. I decide to wait until he and Xander get back so I can hear what he has to say. I’m restless, anxious, and I really need Xander to tell me everything will be okay.
After making myself some coffee, I head up to the terrace on the second floor. I’m not sure how long I stand there for, letting the night air soothe me and trying not to balk under the weight of my issues. It suddenly hits me that I can’t live here anymore. If people know Xander and I are in a relationship, they’ll probably be keeping an eye out for me. I steel myself for the gold-digger comments. It would serve me well if people didn’t find out I’m also living here.
