“Not thinking,” I correct with another sip. “It’s a done deal. He’s invited me out to lunch.”
“Don’t be so stupid?—”
“Mom.” I snap gently and turn to face her. “Stop. This is my decision. I’ve thought about how I feel, and I’m happy. You should be happy for me too.”
“But—”
“And before you start, don’t worry. I’ll have the roses moved to my apartment. Nick and I are moving back home so you’re free to do what you want with your house.”
She gazes at me with her eyes wide with shock. “You’re leaving?”
“We can’t live together, Mom. It’s not working. I love you, but I think if I stay any longer, we’ll both hate each other, and I don’t want that. So Nick and I are going home.”
“We’re going home!” Nick races past me and down the hall with a yell of delight, trailing a bunch of petals behind him as he runs with roses in his hands.
“Be careful!” I call after him. “Watch for thorns!”
“No thorns,” says one of the couriers as they walk back out of the living room. “These roses are thorn-free.”
My smile widens. “Of course they are. He thinks of everything. Is that all of them?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the second courier replies with a smile as he walks past me. “Have a lovely day.”
“You too!” After closing the door, I turn back to Mom who still stands there staring at me in shock. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll be out of your hair before you know it.”
“I’m just protective, Calliope. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, Mom. I know.” Despite the surprise on her face, I’m certain there’s a flicker of relief in her eyes. If there’s anything to be salvaged from our strained relationship, it can’t happen here.
After a breakfast of cereal and toast, Nick and I head out to the park for a morning of feeding the ducks, admiring a swan that walks so close to Nick he nearly passes out from delight, and a race to see who can swing the highest of the swings. Nick wins of course because by his logic, he’s smaller and thus, he goes higher because of science.
His explanations bring a warm smile to my face, and it remains all the way to lunchtime. The world feels different.
I feel different.
I had our family lawyer look over the contract Elijah brought and he confirmed that it’s painfully in my favor. No matter what happens between us, my new job is secure and I have all the protections one could need when having a child with the CEO. Even if our relationship turns utterly sour and bitter, I’m comfortable knowing my job and income remain secured even if the company goes bankrupt. In my lawyer’s words, the contract is almost too generous.
I signed on the bottom line immediately.
As the afternoon rolls around, I take Nick to the bistro that Elijah invited me to lunch. We walk around the corner and I spot him immediately waiting outside. He wears a light pink top and dark jeans, with his hair slicked back just enough to be smart, but the ends remain flicked and wild, just the way I like.
“It’s Elijah!” Nick sprints away from me immediately, running right up to him and colliding with Elijah’s leg. “Hi!”
“Hey, kiddo.” Elijah’s expression melts from surprise to warmth as he locks eyes with Nick and then glances up to me. “Hi.”
“Hi. I hope you don’t mind that I brought him.”
Elijah’s smile wavers. “Not in the slightest.”
“Are you coming for lunch?” Nick asks, staring up at the two of us with his big eyes.
“If you want me to,” Elijah replies. “I could eat.”
“Yay!” Nick stamps his feet and then turns back to me. “I’m hungry.”
“Then we'd better get you some food before you waste away, huh?” I gently poke his belly and then scoop him up into my arms, carrying him all the way inside.
The waiter seats us in a booth at the back, and we all order toasted sandwiches and shakes, under Nick’s orders since, according to him, he knows what’s best, and we’re happy to play along. Elijah sits across from us and a rosy hue warms his cheeks as he watches us.
