Page 2 of It's Not All Fake

“This is true. I don’t need a life coach.” My fingers drum across my desk. “I already have what I want in life.”

Chloe gives me a soft, patient smile. “Clients often don’t realize the fullness of their needs until they begin the process,” she attempts to educate me. “Liam, I can help you take steps toward a better you. In fact, I’m willing to stake my career on it.”

My skin prickles at her overconfident ego. I look at Mom to avoid allowing my distaste for Chloe’s proposal to color my expression.

Mom’s pleading look tugs at my heartstrings, which I wish I did not possess in this moment. From boyhood, she has been the one thing I cherish most.

“Liam, you work so much.” Mom presses her palms together as if begging me. “Your friendships are nothing more than golf or racquetball partners that talk shop. You have no time for a social life, and every woman who has piqued your interest in the past five years you’ve sent away for the most ridiculous reasons.” Mom raises her eyebrows, tilting her head to the side. It’s a motherly look that always puts me in my place.

I try not to give in.

“Is working hard such a bad quality?” My computer dings, on cue, as an email pops into my inbox and catches my attention for a moment. Mom frowns.

“You see?” she pleads to Chloe. “Work is all he thinks of.”

As if Chloe could be my savior, she placates my mother, patting her hand. Though both are thin, my mother appears frail, while Chloe is fit and strong. I see the muscles in her bronze, toned legs and assume she must be a runner. At the very least, she hits the gym regularly.

When I catch my gaze lingering a little too long on her bare legs, I clear my throat and refocus on Chloe’s narrowed green eyes.

“I see what you mean, Olivia.” Chloe may as well cluck her tongue at me like my mother. They are two peas in a pod. “Can I just…” Her eyebrows raise as if asking my mother to provide her blessing on some secret matter I know nothing about. Mom nods and Chloe looks my way.

“Liam, you may not understand your mother’s concern. But I guarantee that I can help you enhance your life. I tend to know what people need before they know it themselves.”

I choke back a laugh. “You what?”

“Oh, Liam,” Mom says, crossing her arms. “I worry about you so much. I don’t know how I’ve failed so badly at being your mother that you think the only relationship you need is with your money.”

I straighten in my seat, then stand. This exchange has gone on long enough. I have every intention of politely ending this conversation and seeing this life coach out of my office. “You did not fail as a mother, okay?”

Mom wrings her hands together as I round my desk and approach her with a smile.

Most people find me intimidating—I overshadow with my height and my reputation—but Chloe doesn’t even flinch as I draw near to scoop up my mother’s hand.

“You did an amazing job raising me. I’ve done well enough so you can live in retirement comfortably.” I kiss her hand and smile. “I’m doing just fine.”

I purchased my Hollywood mansion last year and insisted that my mother live in the attached suite. With her health challenges, the arrangement allows me to keep a close eye on her.

“Your mother is not concerned about your business, Liam,” Chloe clarifies. “I’d like to help you with your relationships—to fine-tune areas of concern so you can find Mrs. Right.” Chloe’s annoying wink aimed in my mother’s direction grates on my last nerve. It takes everything in me not to snap at her.

“For me, Liam,” my mother pleads. “Consider it. It’s nothing more than listening to some advice.”

I want to scowl. To put my foot down in frustration and tell her I won’t be working with Ms. Chloe Middleton.

But I can’t upset Mom. When I look at her face, all I see are the dark circles beneath her eyes, proof of the worry and stress she’s under.

“This is really what you want?” I’ll give anything to fill those sad eyes with happiness and joy again.

“Yes, Liam. It is.” Her frail seventy-three-year-old fingers squeeze mine with a strength I didn’t know she had in her. “It really is.”

I sigh internally, but I can’t show her how frustrated I am by this choice. Even the players in the World Series of Poker wouldn’t be able to detect the poker face I flash Mom and Chloe. If this is truly what she wants, then I will do it.

“Alright, I’ll give it a shot. But only for a few weeks to see how it goes.” It takes a great deal of humility to submit to my mother’s wishes knowing I am nearly forty years old and very capable of living my own life.

And knowing that Chloe is probably giddy with power, thinking she is right—that I need to be “fixed”—makes my blood boil.

But honoring my mother and making her happy is the most important thing. Far more important than me being right or in charge.

“Thank you, Liam.” My mother beams.

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