Page 80 of Hearts Like Hers

“Steven was just filling me in on how to coolthe beans after a roast. He’s very smart. Cute, too.” She winked at Steve, andAutumn cringed.

“Vicky, please don’t flirt with Steve. He’syounger than both of us.”

“Steve doesn’t worry about age, do you,Steve?” She rubbed his bicep.

He smiled politely. “Not when there’s otherthings to worry about, like this afternoon’s roast. I better get to it.”

That’s right, little man. Run, run far awayfrom this barracuda of a woman. “So, what brings you by, Vicky?” She tossed aglance around the shop, and thank God, they were in the midst of a lull. LarryHerman sat in the corner nursing a cappuccino with lattice drizzle, but otherthan that the place was desolate.

“I wanted to hear if this little scienceexperiment of yours worked. Are you pregnant? Am I going to be a Gigi?”

“No, you’re not.”A Gigi?Autumn let it go.

If anything, Vicky brightened, the sides ofher mouth turning up ever so slightly, which made Autumn’s stomach turn. Shewas gloating. “I’m sorry, sweetkins.”

Autumn had had enough. “No, you’re not,” shesaid, her voice ice cold, much to her own surprise.

Her mother blinked several times in silencebefore responding, clearly offended by the insinuation. “Excuse me?”

“You’re notsorry.”Autumn stole a glance at Larry, who was looking in their direction withinterest. She lowered her voice and moved toward her mother. “You would ratherhave my heart broken than face the fact that you’re old enough to be agrandmother, which, by the way, you are. News flash. No matter whether you callyourself Gigi or Granny, which, God, is so my personal preference, you remainthe same age, and it isn’t twenty-two. Wake up!”

Vicky’s heavily lipsticked mouth fell openand she adjusted the expensive new Prada bag that she could in no way afford.“Who raised you to speak to your mother that way?”

Autumn looked around. “I’m guessing you.Though you weren’t really home that much.”

“Well, look who’s tossing stones now.”

Autumn ignored the misuse of the phrase.

“A woman in her thirties with no husband, nofamily, and just a lonely little coffee place to make her feel important.You’re the pathetic one, not me. Always have been.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say, Vicky.”They turned to see Hadley standing at the entrance, glass door propped openwith her hand.

Vicky brightened as if the sun had just comeup. Her gal pal was here! She’d always seen Autumn’s friends as hercontemporaries to Autumn’s embarrassment. “Hadley, come give me a hug. Ihaven’t seen you in months.”

Hadley didn’t budge. “Why would you say thatto Autumn?” she asked, wide-eyed, but still very polite. “She is in no waypathetic. If anything, she’s amazing. She’s accomplished a ton.”

“Not as much as you, sweetie, working onRodeo Drive. I’m sure your mother is very proud of you.”

“I have two dads.”

Vicky faltered but only momentarily. “Well, Ijust want the chance to feel that proud of my daughter. I’d hate to see herlive out her final years all alone.” She turned back to Autumn. “Do you know Imake up stories about you to tell my friends?”

“What a waste of time when the truth is soimpressive.” Hadley’s eyes flashed in a way Autumn had never seen them. “Andyour daughter will never be alone. Do you know why? Because she is a kind,caring, and warm human being who people love to be around, which means she inno way takes after you.”

“Yeah!” Larry Herman yelled, standing like arabid fan at a hockey game.

“Wow,” Autumn said, under her breath, lovingevery minute of this. She never thought she’d see the day when someone putVicky in her place. She certainly never expected it to be Hadley.

“Well, fine,” Vicky said, drawing out theword in dramatic fashion. “Why don’t the two of you go be lesbians together? Ican go where I’m more wanted. Where I’m appreciated.”

“You say lesbians like it’s a bad thing, whenit’s really the most awesome,” Hadley said. “You should try it sometime.”

“If you say so, sweetheart.” Her voice wascallous, condescending, and no longer dripping with pretense. She turned toAutumn. “Do you have a spare two hundred bucks? I don’t have time to swing bythe bank. Date tonight.” And they were back to square one. Cold, hard cash.

Autumn counted out the money from the cashregister and handed it to her mother. After years of falling in line, lettingthis woman push her around, Autumn found the courage to push back. She metVicky’s eyes and held her gaze solidly. “This is the end of the line, Vicky.The bank is officially closed. If you need money, try getting a job. You won’tbe getting it from me anymore. This is your final withdrawal.”

She watched Vicky’s face fall. “If this isabout what I said earlier, I was just a little fired up.”

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