Page 118 of The Plus One Contract

Not so lucky.

He’s surrounded, blowing bubbles while a pack of miniature humans shriek and dive-bomb into them.

To his credit, he doesn’t look like he minds all that much.

Tall, broad, and entirely out of place, but somehow not. The suit doesn’t matter. The power, the reputation, the wealth—it’s all meaningless here. He’s just a man, laughing as a four-year-old launches herself onto his leg like she’s claiming him for her kingdom.

God help me, my heart clenches.

“You know,” comes a familiar voice beside me, “it suits him.”

I close my eyes with a sigh before turning to my mother, who has gracefully slid into the chair next to mine, wine glass in hand, watching Nathan with far too much interest.

“Mom,” I groan, “please, not this again. If you’re about to start on about how I need to have children, I swear to—”

But she surprises me when she doesn’t argue. She doesn’t push.

Instead, she reaches across the table and takes my hand, her grip warm and familiar.

“I know,” she says softly.

I blink.

That’s it?

No,But when you meet the right man!No,You’ll change your mind when you're older!No,Grandchildren would look great on me!

Just…I know.

Her thumb brushes over my knuckles, and when I glance up, I see it.

The understanding.

The regret.

The love.

“I thought the right way,” she says, “was always to do things the way your father and I did. Find the person, settle down, start a family.” She pauses, staring into her wine glass like it holds answers. “But looking back, I gave up so many opportunities to be a mother so young.”

I squeeze her hand. “Mom—”

Her lips curve into a soft, bittersweet smile. “Would I change it? Never. But I understand now, and I’m proud of you.”

Her voice wavers, her eyes shining with unshed tears, and that’s what does me in.

I turn fully toward her, squeezing her hand tighter. “I’m happy, Mom,” I tell her, meaning every word. “I really, really am. New York is my place.”

She nods, patting my hand, then sniffs, blinking her tears away. “Then I’m happy too.”

My chest aches.

“I just miss you,” she admits, her voice softer now. “But you and your brother’s happiness is what matters most to your father and me.”

I follow her gaze to where Jeremy is on the dance floor, completely wrapped up in Grace.

And yeah, it’s beautiful.

“Looks like he got his happily ever after,” I say, smiling.

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