“It’s fine, Mom. I’m sorry I haven’t called you back.” She finished chewing her last strawberry, tempted to run back for more, as her mom filled her in on everything she’d missed. Despite Reese’s busy work schedule, she always talked to her mom at least two or three times a week.
“Your father joined a new country club,” Mom said with a laugh. “He says the course is better, but I think he got into a disagreement with the last bunch of guys.”
“The courseisbetter, Marie,” Dad called in the background.
Reese swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “Mom, can you put me on speaker? There’s something I want to tell you both.”
“You’re not hurt, are you?” Mom asked.
“No, Mom. I promise it’s good news.” Except it didn’t feel like good news.
“We’re both here,” Mom said.
Reese took a deep breath. “You remember that marketing director position?”
“Of course,” Dad said. “We thought Peter was a shoe-in. Did they offer it to him?”
“They offered it to me.”
Silence lasted for several uncomfortable beats before both her parents erupted together in congratulations. “That’s so wonderful, sweetie. We’re so proud of you.” As the praise continued, Reese felt herself relax enough to enjoy the attention. “Wait until we tell the Andersons! We’re having dinner with them this weekend.”
“I haven’t officially accepted it yet,” Reese explained. “They want my answer on Monday when I’m back in the office.”
“But it’s yours,” Dad said. “That’s what matters.”
“Peter probably didn’t take that too well, did he?” Mom asked.
“No. Not really. He, uh, dumped me.” She braced for their disappointment, fearing they’d insist she chase after him. He fit all their smart-match checkboxes.
“I never liked him,” Dad said.
“What?” Reese lifted her phone from her ear to verify it was her mom’s name on the screen and not a wrong number. “What do you mean? I thought you guys wanted me to, you know, marry him or something.”
“Oh, gracious no. He talked about himself too much,” Mom chimed in.
Reese was too stunned for words, allowing her parents to rattle off their list of complaints about her ex-boyfriend. She wondered why they hadn’t been honest with her sooner. It might’ve saved her a lot of grief. She felt as if she were living in an alternate universe for the second time tonight.
Hudson’s kiss buzzed on her lips, reminding her of the first instance.
“When you get back to town, we’re taking you out for dinner to celebrate,” Dad said. “Anywhere you want to go, I’ll get us a reservation.” Dad was connected like that, something Reese had always admired. He’d started with nothing, working as an errand boy. Now he was a happily retired VP of a very prestigious company who could get a last-minute reservation anywhere in town.
Reese had always wanted that for herself.
Or so she thought. Fancy reservations didn’t feel as important anymore. They felt . . . overrated.
“Anywhere, you just let me know,” Dad added.
“I’ll text you when I decide,” she promised. “But now I really need to get some rest. I’ve been helping Ronnie’s brother with some home renovations—”
“That’s nice, sweetie,” Mom interrupted. “We’ll pick you up from the airport this weekend, okay?”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“We’re so proud of you,” Dad said. “You’re really going places, Reese. I always knew you were destined for greatness.”
Reese ended the call feeling more confused than before she dialed their number. Sharing her news with them was supposed to clear everything up. Remind her of the reality waiting back in Chicago on the other side of this weekend, not question it.
Chapter 11
