Her gaze lifts to mine again, searching, curious. “And what’s that?”
I drop a kiss on her forehead. “You are in my bed and you don’t hate me.”
Her eyes fill with emotion, and I hope she believes me. The surprise I have planned for tonight will show her that I am serious. That I am willing to try for her.Withher.
But as I hold her tighter, kissing her hair, a darker thought creeps in. One that reminds me what I had to do to make her mine.
And if she ever finds out, she will never forgive me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
FIONA
“You haveno idea how happy I am to see you back in this chair.” Marlene beams, scissors in hand, as she fluffs the ends of my mom’s freshly trimmed hair.
My mother lifts her chin, a rare light softening her cheeks, one I haven’t seen in far too long. “I’m happy too, believe me.”
“Well, you’re glowing, honey. Whoever this new investor is, I hope they know what a gem they’ve got in your family.” Marlene clips the last section of her hair.
I squeeze my mother’s hand, and she turns her palm to thread her fingers through mine.
“It’s all thanks to my Fiona,” she says, her voice thickening around the words. Then, with a tender look, she adds, “La mia luce nelle tenebre.”My light in the darkness.
The phrase hits me square in the chest. I stare at her through the mirror, catching the familiar crinkle by her eyes.
“It was all worth it in the end.”
And I mean it. Even if my job’s hanging by a thread. Even if nothing about this arrangement is normal. Seeing her like this, alive again, is worth everything.
“Well…” Marlene declares as she dusts off the cape and steps back with satisfaction. “I, for one, am relieved. I was really worried about you and Tony.”
My mom laughs, her fingers running through her newly styled hair. “We may be getting old, but we are tough.”
“That’s right, you are.”
I rise from my seat, slipping my coat back on before pulling my wallet from my bag to grab Aleksei’s credit card. “What do I owe you?”
Marlene holds up a hand like I’ve just insulted her. “Absolutely nothing.”
“Wait, what? No, Marlene, come on. Let me?—”
“This one’s on me.” She waves off my protest with a flick of her wrist. “As a congrats for things looking up.”
I glance at my mom, who’s already tearing up.
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
The small gesture overwhelms me too.
“Don’t mention it.” Marlene pulls my mother in for a hug. “You look gorgeous, by the way. And I’d better see you again soon, you hear?”
She nods as they pull back. “You will.”
We say our goodbyes and head outside together, my mother’s arm looped through mine as we make our way to the car. She slides into the passenger seat, and I close the door before circling around to the driver’s side.
Once we’re on the road, the quiet settles between us for a moment before she finally peeks over.
“So…” she says, like she’s been waiting for the right moment. “How are things with Aleksei?”
