Page 115 of From Rivals to I Do

“Look, I’m sorry for mentioning it,” Mick says after a moment. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just trying to say that maybe instead of thinking everyone is using you, get to know people and see where it goes.”

I nod my head and stand up. It’s late, and I must wake up early to meet my father. I say goodnight to Mick and make my way to my room.

While I brush my teeth, I get a call from my assistant, Kerry. She doesn’t usually call me outside office hours unless it’s urgent.

“Kerry?” I say.

“Leonard, hi. I’m so sorry to have to do this, but I must go back to Nevada,” she says. I hear her voice cracking over the phone, and my heart goes to her.

“Oh no, is everything all right?” I ask, genuinely concerned.

“Uh, not really. My mom had a stroke, and I don’t know what’s happening with it yet, but from the sounds of it, I might need to stay and help her recover for a while.” I can tell she’s choking back sobs.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, completely at a loss for words; how I can comfort her. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry, but I don’t know when I’ll return to work.”

“I understand, don’t worry about that. Just go take care of your mom,” I say.

We hang up the phone, and I momentarily lean against my bathroom vanity.

Chapter three

Chapter Three

The plane ride is long and excruciatingly exhausting. Charlee was cranky for the second half of the ride and threw a tantrum, kicking the seat in front of her.

She refused to use the plane bathroom when she had to go because she didn’t understand where everything went when you flush. I had to ask a flight

attendant to explain how an airplane toilet works to my four-year-old.

I had never been so happy to step foot in JFK airport in my entire life. I pick Charlee up and walk her outside when we collect our things from baggage claim. My

mom is supposed to be waiting for us, but I have no clue where to find her in the circus that is a New York City airport.

What I wouldn’t give for a quiet spa day right now.

“Rayne! Charlee!” I hear a voice behind us.

Charlee wiggles out of my arms and takes off running before I can even turn around.

“Grandma!” she yells, jumping into my mother’s arms.

I pick up our bags and make my way over to them. Thankfully, my mom has Charlee wrapped in her arms, so I don’t have to worry about carrying her out.

“Hi, Mom,” I say before I lean in and kiss her on the cheek.

She looks me up and down, and I flash her a tired smile. “You look like crap. Let’s get you two out of here.”

I laugh at her, knowing she is joking but also probably telling a little bit of the truth. “Thanks, Mom, I get it from you.”

She stops walking and kicks my butt when I’m in front of her. Charlee laughs, and I sigh, knowing she will try that as soon as she’s free from my mom’s grasp.

We get to her car, and I panic for a second, realizing I never asked her to set up a car seat for Charlee, but when I open the door, I see that she already did. I

don’t know what I had been expecting. She was a super mom when I was a kid.

“Can we please get something to eat?” I ask when we all buckle in.

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