Page 104 of Fortune's Control
Our table quieted as others noted her distress.
“What’s wrong?” Jack asked from further down the table.
“Is our presentation canceled?” Sam stood and pulled at his waistline. “They better not. I wore fancy clothes for this.”
“What do I do?” Lilah asked.
“You continue with your day, as you planned,” I said.
“He’s right, honey,” Evelyn said. She hugged Lilah before passing her over to my waiting arms. “This is a big deal for you. Don’t change it because of this.”
“Sarah Jane arrived late last night. She’ll be here any second now,” Lilah said.
I pulled her tight, hoping to offer some comfort before her mother arrived.
“Who’s Sarah Jane? Is she hot?” Aiden asked.
“She’s Lilah’s mother and my daughter,” Evelyn said.
“Oh, sorry,” Aiden mumbled and slumped in his chair.
The diner’s glass doors opened, and I prepared to meet the cause of Lilah’s low self-esteem.
*****
“Delilah.” Sarah Jane Mayberry was both a surprise and exactly who I expected. She wore her wavy dark hair in a distinct style from Lilah’s, but it was the same thick hair, with tighter curls around her ears and along her temples.
“What are you doing here? You didn’t even text to let me know to expect you.” Lilah said.
“It was last minute,” Sarah Jane said.
Not a sufficient apology. “Breakfast is over,” I decidedfor the group. “Sophie and Sam, will you two wait outside? Lilah will be with you shortly.” I grabbed several bills from my wallet and handed them to Dean. “Take care of the bill. Jack, our fishing plans are rescheduled for another day.”
Sarah Jane showing up like she did, upsetting Lilah, was enough to bring out my rage. Forcing me to cancel fishing in the creek only amplified it.
“Mom, I can’t talk now. I have a business meeting.”
“You’re unemployed, remember?” Sarah Jane noticed my face and smiled before she took in my leg. Her lips tightened. “Are you him?”
“Unfortunately for you, yes. Lilah, why don’t you go on ahead? I’ll be waiting when you get home.”
“Are you sure?”
“He’s right. Don’t let a little sideways twist your day. We’re all proud of you.” Evelyn dropped a grandmotherly kiss on Lilah’s cheek.
My kiss was stronger. “I’m proud of you.”
Lilah’s nervous expression changed, turning stony as she confronted her mother. “I don’t have time to chat. If you want to talk when I return, Shane can tell you where we live. I’ll be home tonight.”
She left without a backward glance, as pride filled me.
“Jack, hold up.” He glanced up from the diner’s cash register. “We’re still going fishing. This won’t take long.”
I had better things to do than hold Sarah Jane Mayberry’s hand all damned day long.
*****
“Delilah!” Sarah Jane watched her daughter leave the diner as ifit were impossible.
