“You need to stop worrying about me. I’m thirty-five. Not exactly a spring chicken. I’ve spent my life…”
“I know—you’ve spent your life building up your business, and as your mother, I could not be prouder. But as your mother, I’m allowed to worry about you.” She pauses, her eyes rising to mine. “I’m just concerned. This is all so quick. It’s…” her voice trails off.
It’s true. Kris and I went from friends to lovers overnight. But we’re both decisive people. When we know what we want, we go for it.
I run my thumb over the back of her hand.
“It’s not like he’s a stranger. I’ve known him for years, both professionally and through the various charity events we’ve both attended. Please don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
Mum’s brows furrow. “Do you?”
My career has eclipsed my social life. I’ve dated over the years, but before Kris, I had never found anyone who actually understood me. They either wanted more than I was willing to give, or it became clear my money was their driving force.
With Kris, he’s man enough to have no issues with dating a powerful woman. He runs his own successful company and is wealthy in his own right. He’s also ten years older than me, handsome, and, like me, ready to settle down. Our timing could not be more perfect.
“Don’t get me wrong, Kris is a wonderful man.”
“He is. And we’re perfect together. We both want the same things in life, and he gets me. He’s good to me, Mum.”
Kris and I built our relationship on mutual trust and respect. As Mum said, we’re extremely busy with our careers. We both have a lot of people relying on us. However, we want someone to come home to. Who understands the demands we’re under and accepts them. Something I never thought I’d find.
“I just worry. You’re giving up so much more than he is. You’re moving halfway around the world. It’s not like you’ve even spent that much time together, not really,” she adds, her eyebrows drawing together.
I shrug. I understand her concern.
“One of us had to make the move and you know I’ve been wanting to set up an office in the US. As for spending timetogether. We will be doing more than enough of that going forward. We have a lot of common interests.”
She tuts again, making me laugh.
“All those historical romances you read, Mum. The hero and heroine never live together before they get married. It’s not like either of us has a shotgun to our heads.”
She pats my hand and smiles, although it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Ignore me.”
I squeeze her hand again.
I can’t disagree with what she says. Iammaking the biggest move. Kris’s life won’t change as much as mine, but if we want to have a relationship, we can’t do that on opposite sides of the globe. We have to make sacrifices.
Over the past two years, I’ve watched my friends fall in love with their other halves. Findtheir person. Gabriel met Leah, and their love developed from their friendship. Caleb and April. Theirs developed from passion and a mutual goal. Seeing them fall in love made me realise it’s possible. With Kris, I can have that. For the first time, I have someone other than Mum supporting me. I’ll be part of a team, a strong partnership.
Tomorrow, Caleb marries April. He was always so cynical, hid behind his playboy exterior. He’s transformed his life. Settled down, both externally and internally. It’s like April brings him a level of calm I’ve never seen before. It’s the same when I look at her. Her prickly demeanour is gone. She flows now. Together, they light up a room.
I’m not comparing myself to Caleb or Gabriel. Kris and I share a stable and solid relationship. He’ll make a fantastic father. He lost his first wife in his early twenties. I know he’s dated since, but like me, his focus has been on work. It’s why he’s such a successful businessman.
“With Kris, what I see is what I get. I love that about him.”
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything,” she says.
I smile at her. “Yes, you should. If you can’t say it to me, who can? I’ve always relied on you to call me out on myshit.”
“Penelope Dawson, language!”
We both grin, but I can tell from the creases around her eyes she’s concerned. When she catches me looking, she shrugs.
“You’re my baby. I know I’m being silly and selfish. I’m going to miss you.”
She sniffs.
