Once we sit down with steaming mugs of tea, Regina doesn’t mince words.
“What’s going on between you and Stone? You looked so happy after the show, and now my son’s acting like he lost his best friend, and it seems you’ve been avoiding me around the condo.”
What am I supposed to say? I trusted your son and he betrayed me? I’m in love with Stone, so I let my guard down and got burned?“It’s complicated.”
“In matters of the heart, it’s always complicated.”
“You can say that again.” I take a nibble of my cookie, hoping the sugar will boost my spirits, at least for a short time.
“Desirae, hun, one thing I’ve learned over the years is the power of forgiveness. When someone makes a mistake, if you can find a way to forgive, you’ll be a lot happier. I’ve also learned that sometimes things are not what they seem. And I know my son. Despite being successful in business, when it comes to his personal life, he holds things in. He’s better at showing you how he feels, rather than telling you. I suspect that’s an issue now. I only wish I’d had the opportunity for a second chance. I would have grabbed it. Whatever it is, I’m hoping you’re willing to give him a second chance.”
I’m curious about whether her words have anything to do with Mrs. Reilly. But before I can ask, she speaks.
“By the way, how is Mrs. Reilly doing?”
“She’s doing well. Her doctor adjusted her meds, so hopefully her blood sugar will stay in range. She doesn’t remember much about what happened, although she’s mentioned several times how much she enjoyed meeting you and Stone.”
After Regina departs, I fix another cup of tea, contemplating her words. Her motherly wisdom hits home. I’ve been hurt badly before, but Stone is not George. He deserves a chance to explain. And it’s time to admit to myself that my feelings for him have grown far deeper than I intended.But at what cost?
CHAPTER 16
STONE
The clatter of dishes and pots and pans mixes with the sounds of conversation and laughter as my mother and I spend Thanksgiving the same way we’ve done for years, volunteering at the First Presbyterian Church of Palm Beach soup kitchen. After serving dinner to over two hundred people, we fix a plate for ourselves. Just like she does every year, she chastises me for bringing my own cranberry sauce. I prefer the store-bought stuff that comes out of a can looking like a cylindrical blob.
“Honestly, Stone. What kind of Italian mother lets her child eat that crap out of a can? I made enough fresh cranberry sauce to feed all these people. It’s not like you didn’t have a chance to get any for yourself.”
I laugh at my mother’s embarrassment. “You know this is one of my fondest memories as a kid. When we could barely afford a turkey. Some traditions aren’t meant to be broken, and this is one of them.”
Mom huffs. “Fine. But I draw the line at Stove Topstuffing. And another thing. Why haven’t you fixed things with Desirae yet? You need to talk to her. Have you considered that as far as she knows, the building is still scheduled for demolition? I bet that’s why she’s upset with you.”
She looks up at the ceiling as if she has a direct line to the man upstairs. “What is wrong with men? Why do they think women are just supposed to read their minds?”
When she gets no answer from above, she turns back to me. “I raised you better than this. Stop being an idiot and fix your mess.”
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel, Mom?”
“Look, I know you hold stuff in. And you want everything to be perfectly worked out before you make promises you can’t keep. But try to look at it from her perspective. Your silence has done nothing to reassure her. You’ve been sending her mixed signals. No wonder she’s confused. For someone running a billion dollar company, you sure can be dense sometimes.”
Before I can get a word in, she continues. “I love you, son. But on this one, I’m team Desirae. At the rate you’re going, I’m never going to have any grandchildren. I know you’re in love with her. You need to tell her. And speaking of grandchildren—when are we going to have the test results to determine if Virginia Reilly is, in fact, your grandmother?”
After spending the day with my mother and thinking about everything she had to say, the silence of my condo is broken only by the distant sounds on the beach as I review the latest proposals for my project the teamrushed to update prior to taking off for the holiday. This plan is exactly what I asked for. It centers around the Reilly building as the focal point. It preserves the character of Pelican Point’s main street, down to replacing street signs and fixtures reminiscent of old coastal Florida. The updated report details the revised costs and profit margins, as well as identifies tax benefits for historical projects, and state and federal grants that can be utilized to preserve even more of the town. Mom’s words about happiness versus success echo in my mind, as I realize Desirae is worth sacrificing everything for.
I’ve made my decision. It will either destroy my business or save everything I hold dear. No matter the cost, and even if I lose it all, I will fight the board on this and do what’s right. Right for Desirae, Pelican Point, and me.
CHAPTER 17
DESIRAE
I’m startled awake, almost jumping as high as the ceiling in my bedroom, following a shrieking alarm from my phone, so high-pitched and loud that it likely can be heard throughout the entire condo complex. I can apologize to my neighbors later, but right now my first priority is the boutique. That alarm came from the app on my phone tied into my security system.
I don’t even bother to change out of the sweats and tee shirt I wore to bed, just step into my crocs, grab my phone, keys, and purse, and race to my car. Since it’s late at night, hopefully no traffic will be in my way so I can make it downtown as soon as possible without getting into an accident or pulled over. As I leave my complex, my phone rings. Caller ID indicates it’s the county dispatcher.
“Hello?”
“Desirae Russell?”
“Yes.”
