Cora shook her head with mirth in her eyes. “You’re a grown woman and more than capable of making up your own mind. Besides, it needs to be you who makes the decision for yourself not by the influence of others.” Cora touched her arm in an affectionate gesture like one did to a friend or a loved one. It was nice. All she’d ever had was her grandma to lean on over the years. It was nice having a friend her own age. “I just thought you should hear it from another perspective. I needed the same thing to give Liam another chance and I’m glad. Life with these men isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.”
Cora had given her a lot to think about. The question came down to, was she willing to give Mike another chance or let her old insecurities control her?
“Thank you for stopping by. It was nice to really meet you and talk.” And not be interrogated.
“It was nice finally meeting you, too.” Cora smiled genuinely. “I don’t count the interrogation. The other ladies I know will welcome you with open arms. I do hope you come to the barbeque.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said politely, walking Cora to the door. Destiny wanted to go, but didn’t want to make it awkward when she wasn’t wanted by the one man who should want her there.
Destiny leaned back against the door with a huff. Cora made it sound so simple. That Mike loved her but was just bad with words. She’d witnessed that firsthand but still. He’d been more than clear he didn’t want her going and hanging with his friends. Not wanting to think about it anymore, Destiny finished putting her groceries away and headed for her grandma’s.
She didn’t want to go and get the hundreds of questions about Mike, but she didn’t want to ditch out on her grandma to sit in her house and sulk.
Chapter 24
“Destiny, welcome.”
Destiny started confused when she Ron answered the door instead of her grandmother or Milly. “Ron, what an unexpected surprise. I thought you guys would have left before now.” What did he want? Why was he here for that matter? Shouldn’t he and her mother be in Cabo on a boat or God knew where? She hadn’t seen them since Grandma gave her mom the money. It had been more than enough to set her up nicely for the next few months until something else took her mother’s fancy.
Ron ushered her in. “I convinced Patty to stay a little longer and visit considering your grandmother’s failing health. Cabo isn’t going anywhere.”
She was sure her mother was thrilled about that.
“Funny, I haven’t seen either of you since dinner a few nights ago.”
“We’ve been staying a few towns over. Your mother isn’t a fan of any hotel less than five stars and those are hard to come by out here.” He chuckled, but it sounded forced.
“So you’re staying a couple towns away, but stayed so Mom could be close to Grandma?” That didn’t make any sense to her.
“It was the only way to convince Patty to stay, and since neither of you could house us, it was the best we could do.”
Destiny wasn’t going to feel guilty for not putting up her mother. She’d grown up with only the best and that’s how she continued her life. Destiny knew her mother would find her home lacking and make every moment staying there miserable for Destiny.
“Besides, it’s only for a few days and then we’ll be on our way.”
Why even stay then? What difference did a few days make? “Well, I’m sure Grandma will appreciate Mom sticking around a little longer.” Provided she didn’t ask for more money. Knowing her luck, Mom would ask for money to build a house or condo while they were staying just so she didn’t have to travel. She wouldn’t put anything past her.
“Destiny, is that you, dear?”
“Hi, Grandma.” Destiny turned away from Ron, thankful for the distraction, and walked into the dining room where her grandma and mother were already seated. Her mother, as always, was dressed to impressed with a figure-hugging green dress and her hair artfully piled on top of her head. “Mother, I’m glad you could stay longer.”
Patty took a sip of her wine. “Ron was adamant we stay longer. I was perfectly content to head straight back to Cabo. I could be drinking on my own yacht right now.”
Destiny forced a smile she didn’t feel. “We appreciate the sacrifice you had to make.”
“At least someone does,” Patty replied, not grasping the sarcasm. Her grandmother did and gave Destiny a warning look.
“Where’s Mike, dear?” Grandma asked with a plastered smile on her face. Destiny could see the strain in her eyes that she was trying to keep the night civil.
“You didn’t chase another man off, did you?” her mother accused. “You never could keep a man’s attention for long.”
As opposed to her mother who went through men faster than Destiny went through underwear.
Destiny ignored her mother’s comment, taking her seat on Grandma’s right. “He had to work.”
Her mother gave her a hard look like she didn’t believe her. Destiny tried not to squirm under the intense look. She had never been a very good liar, which was funny considering she worked with government secrets on a daily basis.
“Well, we’ll miss him,” Grandma said placing her napkin on her lap. Ron came into the room and handed Grandma a glass of wine. Ron was playing servant. Huh, she didn’t peg him as the type. Maybe he was sucking up.
