Before... Before a plus sign turned up on a stick, flipping her world on its head, she’d been in danger of forgetting that the “just sex” relationship she and Achilles had didn’t have a fairy-tale ending. Even then, the odds had been stacked so high against them that she would’ve needed an Atlas-sized ladder to see over them.
Achilles’s resenting anything or anyone having to do with the wealthy world she came from. Their employer/employee relationship. The potential damage to her professional reputation if their intimate relationship ever got out.
Still... She’d forgotten the main issue that trumped everything else.
There’d been no “them.”
Because Achilles had never intended on staying in Boston. His home was back in Washington, where he belonged.
And if she were honest with herself, could she give up her career, give up this part of herself for him? She’d been ready to do that for a man before. To place his happiness, his career, above her own. She’d loved him so much that she’d willingly turned a blind eye to his character, even when he’d shown her who he was. And when he’d stolen her proposal for a new diversity, equity and inclusion program, submitted it as his own and ended up receiving a promotion for it? She’d been devastated, damn near destroyed by the betrayal.
That heartbreak had taught her that men, parents, colleagues could disappoint and even crush her. But only she could control if she allowed it. Only she could control herself.
They couldn’t hurt her if she didn’t permit them access to the core of her. At some point in her life, she’d let each of them have that access, and they’d betrayed her. Almost destroyed her. Used her.
Never again.
Achilles hadn’t committed any of those sins yet.
Yet.
But he more than any of those in her past had the power to wreak the worst damage—a damage she might not be able to recover from.
So yes, she was grateful they hadn’t resumed that part of their relationship.
It was for the best.
No physical entanglements meant she didn’t open herself to messy emotional ones. If she didn’t protect herself, no one else would. God knows, history had proved that one out.
And if she didn’t protect herself, then how could she be there for her baby?
The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time.
No more putting off this visit. Hell, the sooner she got it done, the quicker it would be over with and she could return to bed.
She paused to glance through the peephole—this was Back Bay but still not immune to crime and she was no fool—then unlocked the door and opened it to her mother.
“Mom.”
“Hello, honey.” Cherise swept inside, her light floral scent swamping Mycah as she brushed kisses over both her cheeks. “I’m glad you were home. You claim to be so busy lately. Too busy for your parents.”
Guilt Trip 501. Graduate level.
“Your text said you needed to see me about something important.” Mycah shut the door and moved toward the living room. Her mother frowned in disapproval as Mycah sank to the couch cushions, but God, she wastired. And call it sixth sense, but something told her she needed to sit down for the bullshit that was headed her way.
“It is important, honey.” Lowering to the armchair across from the couch, Cherise perched on the edge, perfect and immaculate in an elegant, dark green pantsuit even at six o’clock in the evening. “Margaret Dansing mentioned she saw you and Cain Farrell downtown having lunch last week.”
Mycah arched a brow, irritation sparking inside her. “The eagle-eyed Mrs. Dansing would be correct. It was a business lunch. That’s the important issue?”
“No, I just thought it was interesting. She commented on what a striking couple you made. I have to admit, I agreed.” Cherise toyed with an earring, but Mycah wasn’t fooled by the casual gesture or tone.
“Mother, please tell me you shut that gossip down. For the millionth time, Cain is just my employer. If Margaret Dansing had stuck around a little bit longer, she would’ve seen a couple more people from my department join us. And for the millionth and one time, Cain has a fiancée. One he looks even more striking with.”
Her mother waved a hand. “Engagements end all the time. All I’m saying is you need to keep your options open.”
“Mother,” Mycah ground out between gritted teeth. “What was so important?”
Cherise sighed. “Fine. Mycah, your father and I are worried about you.”
