Page 75 of Come to Me

Her eyes flared. “How vulgar.”

Micki nearly laughed. Was this woman for real? In the south, Dr. Isla Andres would be clutching her pearls or waving her hand over her face to stop from fainting.

“This is going nowhere.” Dr. Andres pulled a checkbook from her purse. Micki watched in bewilderment as Mrs. Andres poised a pen over a check prepared to write. “What will it take to make you leave? Would fifty thousand be enough to ensure your family's resort remains afloat?”

Micki stared at the woman, her eyes widening at the insult.

Dr. Andres arched a brow. “Come on and answer. I'm offering you a chance to walk away with your home and future secure. Take this money and leave my son. He has a future to attend to, and I won't allow you to jeopardize that."

Dr. Andres declared her an unsuitable match for her son, but Micki refused to let the older woman's condescending words shake her self-worth. Micki was a strong, confident woman who knew her own value, and she wasn't about to let the pretentious airs of Patrick's mother diminish that.

“You don’t have enough money to pay me what I’m worth, Dr. Andres.”

Still, the woman’s were a brutal reminder of the vastly different worlds they came from. Not only that, but they both felt family was important. She’d been contemplating a new life, but could she really do it? Could she really give up her home and her family? And while she didn’t agree with Patrick’s mother that she was inferior, Micki had to consider the challenge it would be to adjust and fit in as a corporate wife. Yes, Lexie and Chelsea managed it, but they grew up in town, working as a nurse and teacher. Micki grew up in the woods, something his mother wouldn’t likely let her forget. How long could she and Patrick survive if his mother was always disparaging her? It was hard enough he had to work in a job he didn’t want, but to have to endure his mother’s disapproval of his choice in woman would be too much. She had to face facts. Her momentary thoughts of a life in New York with Patrick weren’t realistic.

Micki swallowed hard, the realization that there was no future for her and Patrick settling like a lead weight in the pit of her stomach. She had allowed herself to dream, to imagine a life by his side, but now those fantasies crumbled away.

Squaring her shoulders, Micki met Dr. Andres' steely gaze. "I don’t know why you’re here. If this is just a dalliance, as you say, then I’m no threat.”

She sniffed, her head tilting up making her look down her nose, literally, at Micki. Before she could respond, the door opened, and Patrick entered. The smile on his face faltered when he saw his mother.

His gaze darted between the two women. "What's going on?"

Dr. Andres straightened, her expression hardening. "I was just having a little chat with your...friend, Patrick." She spared Micki a withering glance. "Coming to an agreement."

Patrick's eyes narrowed, tension coiling in his shoulders. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

“She was trying to buy me off.” Once the words were out, Micki second guessed outing his mother. After all, soon Micki would be gone, while his mother would still be in his life.

His mother sent a withering glare Micki’s way. “You have responsibilities here, in New York. You can’t let your libido distract you from that. This little plaything of yours needs to go.”

Patrick's jaw tightened. "My responsibilities are my own to manage, Mother. And Michaela is not a ‘play thing’ – she's..." He trailed off, glancing at Micki with an unreadable expression. What was she to him?

"She's what, exactly?" Mrs. Andres pressed, her tone dripping with disdain. "A temporary amusement before you come to your senses? You should be done sowing your oats. It’s time to find a suitable wife.”

“Do you hear how offensive you are?” He turned to Micki. “I’m sorry?—”

“Don’t apologize for me!” His mother shrill tone echoed through the apartment.

"I'm done discussing this, Mother. If you can't respect my choices, then I think it's best if you leave."

For a moment, the two Andreses locked gazes, in a battle of wills. Then, Dr. Andres addressed Micki. “I do believe we came to an understanding.”

It gutted Micki to do it, but she nodded.

“Good.” Patrick’s mother turned on her heel and strode towards the door.

As the door slammed shut behind her, Micki felt a palpable tension in the air. She turned to Patrick, her heart aching at the conflicted emotions she saw in his eyes.

“What understanding?” He demanded.

She shrugged. “I didn’t take her money, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

He scrapped his hands over his face. “God. Michaela, I'm so sorry. I had no idea she would come here."

Micki reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "It's not your fault. I’ll admit I was surprised. Good lord, I thought women like her only were in movies."

His lips twitched upward. “Unfortunately not.” He drew her in, holding her. She allowed it because she needed to feel him one more time.

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