Page 80 of Mine

Apparently, one of their high-profile clients had had too much to drink on New Year’s Eve and been caught with his pants down with a woman other than his wife. Since that time, which had only been about seventy-two hours, more women had come forward accusing the political member of having sex with them even in public places. The scandal had started the New Year off with a bang, and Phoebe had gone straight to the office.

Quentin would wait until she reached out to him before bothering her. But in the meantime, he retrieved the phone and dialed his mother. The line rang out almost to an end before she answered.

“Hey, baby,” she cooed.

Quentin smiled. “Happy New Year, Mom.”

“And what a happy new year it is,” she said. “You’ve been busy I see. I’m glad you were finally able to reveal your true feelings for Phoebe. That’s lovely.”

Quentin smirked. “True feelings?”

“Oh, you don’t think I thought you two were just friends, right?”

“How would you know when I was just as protective over Eden and Jasmine as I was for Phoebe?”

His mother chuckled. “Baby, I’m your mother. I see everything, even the way your world stopped when Phoebe was in the vicinity. Sure, you were protective over them all, but Phoebe gave you a joy like none I’ve seen before. As your mother, it was scary to see my little boy falling in love so young, but you were so graceful, and you put your friendship first.

“After a while I became used to the way you would stare at her, or be the first to help her with something she needed. Then when you both became adults, it was a pleasure. I knew when you mutually decided to give it a go, you’d have a love most people could only dream of.”

Quentin silently listened to his mother speak such touching words. It was true, parents knew best.

“So, when’s the wedding?” she added.

Quentin closed his eyes and smiled. “I haven’t asked her yet, Ma.”

“Well, I won’t rush you to do that either. When you’re ready I guess.”

Quentin swallowed thickly. “I’m not sure if it’s in our stars,” he admitted.

“Why is that?”

“Her brothers didn’t seem to take the news of us dating so well.”

“Ah,” his mother said, “the friendship pact.”

Surprised, Quentin quirked up an eye at her. “What do you know about that?”

“I was there when you made it, remember? I’d just entered the living room to ask you boys if you wanted lemonade, and apparently, Jonathon had caught you gazing off at Phoebe.”

Quentin chuckled remembering that day.

“You’d promised not to talk to his sister if he promised not to talk to yours. You guys wrote it out on paper and everything. I figured one day you would come back to regret that. But I don’t want you to worry about it much at all. They’ll see the same love I saw all the years you guys grew up together.”

Quentin hoped his mother was right. If it were up to him, he and Phoebe would be together no matter what. But he knew that she would never be able to commit to him fully if her family had a problem with it, and Quentin wouldn’t let that happen.

“We’re coming to see you tomorrow night.”

“Oh, great,” his mother perked up, “I’ll make a dinner out of it.”

“Thank you, Ma. Is Dad there?”

“No, your father was at an auction today. He found a bunch of stuff he thinks is worth some money, so he’s gone to get an appraisal.”

Quentin frowned. “You guys don’t need money, do you?”

“No, but your father can’t help himself.”

Quentin grinned. “I see.”

“Well I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow. I’ll let your father know.”

“I love you, Ma.”

“I love you, too, baby.”

Quentin ended his call and sent a text to Phoebe.

I miss you terribly.

He didn’t expect to get a response right away, so he closed the screen and slipped the phone in his pocket. Quentin shifted his attention to his computer screen and the email he’d gotten from Cindy that morning. This was the busiest time of the year for his company, when people sought out to execute their new year’s resolutions by getting memberships at the gym. Like Phoebe, Quentin wished they could’ve spent more time in Paris, but he had a specific destination in mind for what he was hoping would be their honeymoon.

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