Great. Literally the last thing I want right now.
Mom spots me right away and heads over, her heels clicking against the floor. She's dressed for work in a blazer and skirt, looking every bit the successful real estate agent she thinks she is.
My stomach sinks. Mom never comes to Cozy Cup. This isn't a coincidence. Lance told her exactly where to find us.
“Alice, what a surprise,” she says, though her tone suggests it’s not a good one. Her eyes move to Sawyer, taking in his uniform and badge with obvious calculation. “And you must be the new friend I’ve been hearing about.”
“Mom, this is Sawyer. Sawyer, my mother, Tracy.”
Sawyer stands and extends his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs…?”
“Campbell. Ms. Tracy Campbell.” She shakes his hand but doesn’t smile. “So you’re a police officer?”
My stomach twists. Campbell. Mom kept her maiden name when she married Dad, and when I was born, she gave me her name too. Not his. Like she wanted to erase him from our lives even then. Grandma's house, Grandma's name, Mom's name, my name—all Campbell. Dad never stood a chance.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How interesting.” Mom looks back at me, and I can practically see the wheels turning. Police officer equals stability, equals someone Lance might see as competition. “You should’ve told me you were seeing someone, Alice. Especially so soon after everything.”
I feel my face get hot and push my glasses up my nose again. Sawyer looks confused, and I’m embarrassed.
“We’re just having coffee, Mom.”
“Of course you are.” Her smile is fake, practiced. “Well, I don’t want to interrupt. I just stopped in before my next appointment.” She pauses, and I know what’s coming before she says it. “Oh, I saw Lance yesterday.” She says it so casually, like it's nothing. "He mentioned he's spending more time in Pine Hollows. He says he misses you.”
My stomach drops. “He said what?”
“That he misses you. Honestly, Alice, the poor boy seems heartbroken. I know things didn’t end well, but maybe—”
“There’s no maybe,” I cut her off. “Lance and I are done. For good this time.”
Tracy raises her eyebrows like I’m being unreasonable. Like I’m the problem. “There’s no need to be dramatic, sweetheart. People make mistakes. Sometimes they deserve second chances.”
“He’s had so many chances.” The words come out sharper than I intended, but I’m tired of this conversation. Tired of defending decisions I shouldn’t have to defend.
The table goes quiet. Sawyer is watching everything, clearly picking up that there’s more going on than family drama.
Tracy straightens her blazer. “Well, I should get going. It was nice meeting you,Officer.” She looks back at me with that disappointed expression I know so well. “Think about what I said, Alice. Lance has always cared about you.”
She walks away, leaving me staring into my coffee and wanting to scream.
Sawyer's jaw is tight. His cop face is on. The one where he's processing information and coming to conclusions.
He knows. Maybe not everything, but enough.
“You okay?” Sawyer asks quietly.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” The lie comes automatically.
“I gathered that your mom has opinions about your personal life.”
“She works for Lance’s family’s real estate company. Has for years. In her mind, Lance can do no wrong.” I take a long sip of my mocha, hoping the sweetness will chase away the bitter taste this conversation left. “She’s always taken his side over mine.”
She still does. And she always will. Because Lance's family pays her salary.
“Even after you two broke up?”
“Especially after we broke up. She thinks I’m being stubborn and dramatic.” I set the mug down harder than I mean to. “According to her, Lance is just misunderstood and I should give him another chance.”
