Page 86 of Winter's End

I was confused, and feeling slightly guilty, for whatever reason, and downright dumbfounded when she’d asked me to spend the day with her.

I could have said no, but the little girl in me had always wanted attention from her mother. Adult me wasn’t so far removed that I didn’t crave the same, even if it was deep down and semi-buried under a collection of hurts.

“I’m excited to shop with you, honey. I feel like we haven’t spent time together in ages.”

When Mom had found out I was going to the Gold Gala—an event she and Dad were apparently playing some kind of role in, she’d decided our day of spending time together was to take me shopping for a gown.

She was taking meshopping. Mom and Dad didn’t financially support my education or living expenses, and we’d never even exchanged gifts once I became an adult. Mom didn’t take me shopping.

My mother’s actions confused me on the best of days, so I’d decided to just go along with it. When she asked if any of my ‘handsome men’ could come along as chaperons, I stifled a groan and made a litany of excuses for their regrettable absence.

That was probably Mom’s agenda. To take me shopping, maybe, but I’d bet the ‘spending time’ had more to do with the tasty eye-candy she couldn’t seem to keep her hands off of.

Gross, Mom.

She looked at me expectantly, and I realized I hadn’t answered.

“Er—yeah, Mom.” I attempted a weak smile. “This is nice.”

She’d shocked me when she parked at Riches Row and led me to a small shop next to Stanley’s; the last time I’d been in this area, I’d had a panic attack in Hillary’s arms.

Thanks to Logan, I was stopping that nonsense.

The inevitable had happened between Logan and me, and I wasn’t sad about it. Memories of our midnight rendezvous still made my cheeks flush, and seeing the man in Clark Kent glasses made for some sexy fantasies. Logan was like an ogre—so many layers.

He’d kill me if he heard me say that out loud. Or maybe punish me…

“Try this one on.” Mom shoved a satin emerald green dress into my arms, poking me with the hanger. “The green will look beautiful with your hair.”

The delicate fabric was a soft caress across my fingers. It was beautiful, and elegant, and …expensive.

I held the tag up for her to see.

“Holy hell, Mom! You’re not going to spend $600 on a dress for one night.”

Mom’s eyes tightened and the ghost of a sad smile traced her lips. “I haven’t bought you much, Winter. Let’s call this a step in the right direction.”

Who was this woman and where was Miranda Wallace?

My protests fell on deaf ears, so I tried it on, along with a blue silk mermaid dress, and a champagne A-line that was far tooCinderellafor my liking.

Mom had been right on the money with her first choice. The delicate dress had a plunging neckline with teases of dainty eyelet lace. Backless, it hugged my hips and thighs like it was a second skin. It could rival any of Hillary’s dresses in her closet, though I knew for a fact hers cost far more than this one—to my continued chagrin.

Travis and Logan’s jaws were going to drop to the floor when they saw me in it.

“Definitely that one,” Mom agreed, as I did an awkward turn on the raised platform in front of a triangulation of mirrors. Then, more softly, she added, “You look stunning, honey.”

I really didn’t know how to take this version of my mother. I felt like I was on the receiving end of some television show practical joke series, but the smile in her eyes was genuine.

“Thank you.”

I returned her smile, stepped off the dais, and changed back into my jeans and sleeveless blouse. By the time I made it out of the changing room, Mom was waiting by the front door, having already paid for the gown.

“Do you need to be anywhere this afternoon? I’d like to go to Madegan’s.”

“Ummm, sure.” I cocked my head as I studied her, eager to get any sort of clue why she was so interested in out-of-the-blue ‘hanging out’. “Don’t you have some book stuff or research to do?”

“Not today, sweetie. I’m all yours.”

---