Page 108 of Fortune's Control
“I forgot.” Shane looked at me with a silent apology. “It’s your mother.”
Shit.
37-Lilah
“My mother is here?”
“Along with Evelyn. I invited them after speaking to her this afternoon.”
That inspired some hope. I rubbed my temples as images of our upcoming dinner flooded me. An entire meal spent discussing my faults threatened my perfect mood.
“Should I get it?” Sophie asked.
“Please do,” I said.
She left the room, with Jack following like a puppy. Despite my growing annoyance, I grinned at the amusing picture in my head.
“We spoke after you left today.” Shane flashed his eyes upward. “If she doesn’t meet my standards, she’s gone.”
“Did you threaten her?” I meant it as a joke, but he gave me a solemn nod. “You explained how it would be, with no opportunity for her to push back,” I guessed.
“That’s what I do.”
I giggled. “It’s so annoying, and yet I’m grateful for this part of you.”
I love this part of you, Shane Wilcott.
Voices carried from the entryway, signaling the probable end to that night’s sleuthing.
“Should we join them?” he asked.
We were in Shane’s rarely used office. Its wood and leatherdecor told me it once belonged to his father, as Shane wasn’t the sort to spend his days behind a desk. His left leg altered his physical capabilities, but didn’t diminish them, and he maintained his athletic habits. Heck, he already turned over the business portion of his rental properties to me.
I kissed his cheek, pleased with our night, despite recent events.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“Nothing in particular. They can come back here and wait. I want to make another phone call before dinner.”
*****
“Evelyn, it’s good to see you.” She pulled me in for a sideways hug. “We’ve had a minor swerve.”
“Sophie told us on the way in. She’s madder than hell.”
Sarah Jane stood by the entryway alone, holding her expensive purse like a secret weapon. “How did today go? I understand it was an exciting one.”
I narrowed my eyes at her atypical question. Even if genuine, it was uncomfortable hearing it. “We’re hopeful. How long are you in town?”
“Two days. I left work early, arrived last night, and checked into a hotel in Gainesville. There weren’t many local options.”
Beside me, Sophie clapped before shoving Jack out the door. Shane, unsurprisingly, didn’t join them.
“Why are you here? I thought you had plans with George?”
Sarah Jane glanced at everyone in the room with obvious discomfort. She probably felt like she was on trial. “George and I are no longer involved. You never gave me a chance to tell you.”
“I’ve been busy, and you hung up on me.” Funnily enough, I wasn’t angry about that. It struck me as an odd, almost fantastic, joke. Liberating when it should be hurtful.
