Page 73 of His Temptation
I feel suddenly weak and vulnerable with her interrogating me. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
She appears startled by my response. “Oh, I just … I thought maybe I could help you if there’s something you wanted to get off your chest.”
I shake my head vehemently. “No, I do not wish to discuss my mother. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy on the matter.”
“Right. Of course. I’m sorry.”
We both sit in awkward silence for a moment.
“I’ll just, uh … get back to work.”
I nod my head in agreement and pretend to dive right back into my own task while she scurries out of my office. As soon as she’s out, I release a tense breath. I’m not sure why I reacted so hostile toward her. Of course, she’s going to be curious why I’ve been dodging my mother’s phone calls. But I felt so raw and exposed, like she could see through my years of neglect and disappointment.
The phone calls from my mother go on for the next couple of days, each one seeming to make Kylie more uncomfortable. I can tell she doesn’t like telling my mother the same old lie without knowing what the hell is going on. I’m not ready to tell her about my childhood, but I suppose I can just take the damn phone call to get my mother off my back.
“Fine,” I tell Kylie, who’s standing at my door, “send her through.”
She seems surprised and more than a little relieved. “You got it. Just one second.”
I can already feel the anger boiling under my skin as I wait for her to put my mother through. The second the phone rings, I grab it off the base abruptly.
“Yes,” I say cuttingly.
“Lincoln, honey, it’s been ages. I’ve been trying to call you all week.” She says this like she can’t think of a single reason why I could possibly be dodging her calls.
“What do you want?” I reply to move the conversation to the point.
“Your brother is engaged,” she says with excitement evident in her voice.
My brother, Jace, has been dating some socialite for some time now. I’m not completely surprised by the news. It was only a matter of time before he popped the question. It’s expected of him to settle down and produce children. It’s part of the image my parents need to uphold in their circle.
I don’t necessarily have an issue with Jace. It’s not like he ever did anything to me, but that’s also part of the problem. He never stood up for me. He let it all happen.
“I see. Well, I will send him and Danielle something to congratulate them.”
“That’s not necessary. You can give them your congratulations in person tomorrow at their engagement party.”
My voice hardens. “Tomorrow?”
“Well, yes. It wouldn’t sound so last minute if you had taken any of my calls this week.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t owe her anything. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it. Tomorrow is Friday. I’ll most likely be working late on this acquisition.”
She’s silent for a moment. A clear tell that she’s upset and trying to figure out how to manipulate me. A lady doesn’t let those emotions show on the outside, but that doesn’t mean she won’t resort to other measures to get her way.
“I know it would mean a lot to your brother. Despite your feelings toward your father and me, you owe it to him to be there to celebrate.”
She knows how to guilt me into it. Perhaps she’s right about that. I’m his brother, and he never did anything directly to me.
“Fine,” I bark. “Send my assistant the details.”
I slam the phone down, not giving her time to respond.
It’s now Friday, and I’m on edge, thinking about the fact that I have to leave in thirty minutes for my parents’ house. Just walking back into their apartment brings back memories from my childhood. Ones that cause my entire body to go into a state of anxiety.
Kylie has continued to check on me all week. She can tell something is bothering me, but after my little outburst on her, she hasn’t pressed me on it.
She walks into my office just as I’m changing out my tie for the evening. “You heading out?” she asks.
