Alistair had offered to hire a car service, but Atlas and Tegan insisted on picking me up. I was positive it was because she wanted to grill me about the trip.
“Hey, Mom,” Atlas said, kissing my cheek once Tegan finally released me. “Let me get those for you.”
He easily picked up my suitcases and carried them around to the back of his truck.
Tegan climbed into the front seat, and I hoisted Remi and me into the back.
“How was your trip, Mom?” Tegan asked the second my seatbelt clicked.
“It was great. We had a great time.”
I caught her staring at me in the rearview mirror. “Is everything okay? You look like you’ve been crying.”
Atlas climbed into the truck, the door slamming behind him.
Saved by the son-in-law, or so I thought.
“Mom, is everything alright? Did something happen between you and Alistair?” she rushed out.
Atlas put on his seatbelt and merged into the airport traffic. “Baby, we talked about this,” he said calmly.
She sighed, and I could practically hear her rolling her eyes. “I know we talked about this, but I don’t want my mom to keep doing this if it hurts her.”
I cleared my throat. “I’m a grown woman, and I’m capable of making my own decisions, thank you very much. I had an amazing time. It’s just…hard to say goodbye.”
“Did he decide what he’s going to do with the company?” she asked, watching me in the rearview again.
I shook my head. “I didn’t ask him what he’s going to do.”
“Mom,” Tegan sighed. “What do you mean you didn’t ask?”
“It isn’t my place,” I said with a shrug.
“You’re his girlfriend. What do you mean it isn’t your—” she started, but Atlas cut her off.
“Baby, I think what your mom is saying is that Alistair needs to make these sorts of decisions on his own. She doesn’t want to influence him one way or the other. Right, Mom?”
I nodded. “It’s a major life change. I don’t want him to feel pressured. And even if he does sell his shares, I can’t ask him to move to Briar Glenn. We’ve been dating for a little over a month. What if it doesn’t work out, and he regrets it?”
“Do you remember what you told me, Mom? When Atlas and I started dating?”
As her mother, I gave her a lot of advice, but I didn’t recall that conversation specifically.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Tegan slipping her hand over the center console, giving Atlas’ hand a squeeze.
“You said that when the goddess brings two people together, she’s never wrong. What’s meant to be will be.”
I shook my head, my mouth hanging open. “You remembered that?”
Tegan let out a little laugh. “How could I forget?” She turned around to look at me. “You’ve always believed in true love—at least for everyone else. What’s stopping you from believing it for yourself?”
I realized now that I was worthy. I deserved the sort of love my kids had with their mates, the type of love in romance books and movies.
That was exactly what I had with Alistair.
TWENTY-FOUR
ALISTAIR
