Page 126 of David's Love

“Perfect. I’ll be there too. Bye.”

Sighing, I put the phone down when David’s hand comes to mine.

“Everything okay?” he mouths to me.

I nod at him, smiling before his focus moves back to his conversation.

Fifteen minutes later, he’s still on the phone when the car pulls up in front of my mother’s place.

Her car is not there, but that doesn’t mean anything.

In a way, I’d rather not have a conversation with her right now. It’s not the best time with him in the limo and the plane waiting on the tarmac.

As soon as the car comes to a full stop, I grab the box and smoothly slide out.

My boots trail the driveway before I halt in front of the main door and look for the key in my bag.

Great. I left it at my place. I walk around the house, heading to the back door. She still keeps a key in the secret nook by the potted plants.

Moments later, I push the door open and stride to the bedroom. A key shifts in a lock, and her voice pierces the air.

“Elizabeth?”

Oh. Here we go.

“I’m here.”

I slip my hand inside, grab the ziplock bag, shove it into my pocket, and turn around to face my mother.

“Look at you,” she says, dropping her bag on the bed. “The car outside… Is that him?”

“Yes. That’s him. Here,” I say, making her shift her focus to the box.

“What’s this?”

“These are a few special books,” I say, lifting the lid casually and pointing to the contents of the box.

“You rushed me out of the beauty salon for a box of books,” she says, smiling incredulously.

I laugh.

“These are not any kind of books,” I say, convinced that what follows next will take her mind away from the books. “It’s what’s inside them that matters.”

“Always.”

“No. I’m serious. Look.”

I flip one of the books open.

“I saved up some money,” I say when her mouth pulls open in surprise. “I want you to have it. The money.”

“What are you talking about?” she asks, shifting her gaze to me. “How much is in there?”

“It’s enough. I didn’t count it. Please use it.”

“What about you? And how did you manage to save it up?”

More astonishment slides over her face.

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