“That sounds great.”
“And Mia can come, too.”
“Perfect. What time?”
With that promise, Sierra slept better that night than she had in years.
CHAPTER8
“We learned some new words today, didn’t we, Mia?”
“Yes!”
This was the daily ritual now when she picked her daughter up from her parents’ house after work. Usually, it was tolerable, but Sierra had had to stay late at work and was now officially running behind.
Of course, she couldn’ttellher mother that she had a date, if she’d even call it that. And no way in hell would she tell her that, no matter what she labelled the evening’s activities, they’d be spending time with Mickey.
She knewexactlywhat her mother thought of him.
“Let’s show mama.One plus one…”
Mia repeated the words and held up her index fingers like her grandma. “Equals two!”
Sierra had to admit that was adorable as all get out, especially how Mia said the wordequals—not quite right but absolutely precious. Whether her daughter actually understood the concept of addition wasn’t important for now. And, after she and her grandmother added one plus several other numbers, Sierra said, “Oh, my goodness. I’m so proud of you!”
Her mother looked smug and pleased with herself.
In all fairness, sheshould. “Thanks, mom.”
“Of course. Mia will be the most advanced child in her class. I’ll make sure of that.”
Oh, no. Sierra wanted her daughter to fit in and have friends more than she wanted her to excel far and above her peers. She’d seen firsthand how setting yourself apart from others worked out.
Fitting in was hard enough.
“Are you ready?” she asked her daughter.
Her mother said, “Did you want to stay for dinner? We’re having foie gras.”
Jesus. Sierra would rather starve than eat that shit. “We have plans.”
“For dinner?”
“For the evening. I’m meeting an old friend from school.”
“Who might that be?”
Shit. “Actually,friends. And I don’t think you’d know them. Come on, sweetie,” she said, holding out her hand for her daughter.
“Try me,” her mother insisted.
“I’m already running late, mom.” No way in hell was she going to spill the beans, so she picked up Mia and started making her way through the maze of the house. “Thanks for working with her on her numbers.”
“Sierra,” Rebecca said, just as they reached the front door, “you’ll be here Sunday, though, won’t you?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I’m always here.”
“I just wanted to be certain, because Austin Ackerman plans to be here…and I promised that you’d also be here for the afternoon meal.”