He doesn’t look like he minds the nickname, but before he can respond, Josh squeezes through.
He forces a smile. “Sorry, guys, need to steal Katie from you.”
Mom can’t even respond before he whisks her away, and Ana looks at me with a confused expression. “I thought she hated that nickname.”
Shrugging, I say, “She does.” Her eyes widen slightly before she nods, then looks down.
At that, the orchestra stops playing and we all look up to see Josh on the stage with a big, controlled grin. “Thank you all for coming and giving me five hours of your Saturday. I know these days are crucial for us attorneys.” The haughty laughter isn’t missed, and I chuckle to go along with everyone else. “When Tony offered me the relocation position to open the Los Angeles office, I was nervous, but I want to extend my gratitude for his faith in me.” He raises a flute of champagne and Tony raises a glass of what looks like scotch. “And, I have enjoyed getting to know many of the people here. However, I have one more surprise left.” The tall blonde from earlier brings Mom to the bottom of the stage and everyone watches her. “Katie, my beautiful girlfriend, would you mind coming up here?” Her eyes widen, and I instantly become uneasy at the sight. He grabs her hand, then looks back to the crowd. “All through the evening, I’ve seen people I respect with their significant others. And it’s fueled something I’ve been planning for a while.” We all wait with bated breath when Josh gets down on one knee, and a collection of gasps echo out.
Mom covers her mouth with both her hands as Josh grabs the ring from his suit jacket. He gives her a small smile. “Kate Harrison, I don’t want to merely be your boyfriend anymore. I was once your coworker back in Philly, but even then, I knew I wanted more. I want you to be Kate Callaway, my partner in all ways.”
He looks down, and the women say “aw,” Ana being part of them as I lowly scoff.
Josh glances up. “Marry me?”
I love Mom, I do, and I want her to be happy, but I also want her to say no. She deserves someone better. Someone who doesn’t let his stress dictate his emotions, someone who can be more like Dad.
She gives a shallow nod before he confirms through the microphone, “She said yes!” He hugs her and everyone claps. Olivia stays stunned and Josh looks over at her. Within a minute, her face changes to a smile and she runs up to hug them both. He slips the ring on Mom’s finger and she looks at it in shock. When she looks up to find me in the crowd, I shrink back.
William and Ana don’t move out of the way, and I thank goodness for it. William is clapping, but Ana’s arms snake around mine, comfort behind the gesture. She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t know what to do either. She then pats my arm and warmth spreads through me. Liam clears his throat, causing me to look up at him. William and Ana turn back as well.
“I think it’s time for me to get going. I’m exhausted, so I think I’ll tuck in for the evening. Long drive and all,” he says while fixing the sleeves of his shirt. He focuses his eyes on me. “Let Ms. Kate know I say congrats.” I nod, and he looks as if he wants to saysomething else, but decides against it. “Mom. Dad. I’ll see you guys later.” He turns around and starts to walk off, and I deflate like a leaky balloon. He stops and turns. “Also.” Those gorgeous, emerald eyes, instead of holding gentleness as they had before, hold anger, resentment, andhurt. “Consider your request granted.”
There are hands on my shoulders, and I flinch at the feel of them.
Turning around, I say, “I’m sorry.”
William shakes his head. “It isn’t your fault, pumpkin. Liam’s just a hothead. He’s in that stage.” I appreciate him trying to make me feel better, but I still feel horrible. Mom rushes to us while I watch Josh and Olivia talking to Tony and his wife, who seem to be congratulating him. Mom hugs me with the biggest smile on her face, and I give her one right back. I thank goodness for Ana’s bubbly behavior as I’m not able to muster up that much excitement while my mind drifts back to Liam.
He’s staying out of my way, like I wanted. Then why does my heart feel heavy in my chest? Why do I want to rewind time to orientation when his eyes didn’t have the tint of hurt clouding them?
Because no matter what, he’ll always be my best friend, and I love him. It’s been five years and every beat of my heart still belongs to Liam freaking Parker.
“You’re awfully quiet, sweetie,” Mom says as she turns around to get a better look at me, but I refuse to make eye contact. I stare out the window, my heart and mind completely jumbled. She sighs and Josh starts whispering stuff to her, making me cringe slightly. Pulling into a gas station, Mom gets out to pay, and I’m stuck in the car with Josh and Olivia.
“Bianca,” he starts, and I look up as he fixes the rearview mirror to stare directly at me.
“What?” I mumble, not giving him the least bit of attention.
“Aren’t you happy about the proposal?”
He’s baiting me, and I make sure to nod while Olivia looks over at me. “Of course,” I say, and he looks at me like he doesn’t believe it, but I stand my ground.
“Good. I know Katie’s very happy too. Let’s try not to ruin that.” I mentally scoff, but only give him a small nod.
Mom gets back in. “Josh, can you pump the gas? I already paid for it.” He nods before getting out of the car. “I got you some Skittles,” she says, passing them into the back seat. I smile gratefully as Olivia lifts the sparkling water she grabbed before we left the event earlier. Mom looks like she wants to talk about everything, but I shake my head. She gives me a confused look. I flick my eyes to Olivia and her face clears in understanding.
Josh opens the door, hopping back into the driver’s seat. “Alright, car’s all filled up.”
The conversation ends and we drive back to our home where Josh and Mom are returning as an engaged couple. Something sours in my mouth, and I have a feeling it’s not from the candy. We all go to our respective rooms, but before I close my door, Mom’s telling Josh something. He nods and kisses her cheek, and she comes down the hall to me. She slips into my room with me and I sit on the bed, waiting. I pop some more candies in my mouth, my eyes drifting down to the huge rock on her finger winking up at me.
“Bianca, you’re my daughter, so I know how your mind works.” She takes a deep breath. “It’s been thirteen years since David died, hon. And it’s time to seek other things in my life. Don’t get me wrong, he was and willalwaysbe the love of my life, but I know that he wouldn’t want me to be alone forever. We just ...” Clearing her throat, she continues. “We loved each other so much that we wanted to make sure we were both happy.”
I sniffle a bit. Mom has had so much happen to her, from losing Ezra and the love of her life to trying to find a way to raise me on her own. She deservesall of the good things that come to her.
Even if Josh is one of those good things.
“I love you, Mom,” I say, and she smiles and gives me a bear hug, practically suffocating me.
