Page 57 of The C Agreement

“What?”

“Your mom. Does she forget to invite Rayne often?”

Beau clicked his tongue. “Not a lot, but it’s happened a few times.”

“Man, that’s fucked up.”

“Yeah.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“I don’t know. Rayne’s always been the easy kid. She went with the flow. She did what my parents asked. Back in high school, she always went where you, Em, and I went. She always did what we wanted to do. We never asked her what she wanted, and she never complained. And I think my mom forgets sometimes because she just expects Rayne to be there because that’s what my sister has always done. But she doesn’t live at home, and she can’t come to family dinner if she doesn’t know about it.” He sighed. “Maybe Em and I should make sure Mom says something from now on.”

“Fuck that. Your mother needs to remember on her own. I told Rayne she needs to tell your mom how hurt she is.”

“You did? When?”

I silently cursed in my head. I didn’t want to draw any attention to my relationship with her right now, and I had blown that.

“I messaged her later.” I winced at the lie. But I couldn’t tell him the truth. “She’d seemed really upset, and I wanted to make sure she was okay.”

Please don’t ask any more questions.

“Maybe I should tell her to say something to Mom too.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“You should. And maybe Em should mention it as well.”

“I’ll talk to her.”

Wanting to be off this topic before anything else was revealed, I said, “And let me know when you want to look at some buildings to buy or lease. We should probably find a realtor.”

“I know someone. Or rather, Em does. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“I’d better get back to work, but one last question.”

“What?”

“Have you been spending every night with the same woman?”

“Almost.”

“Holy shit. And you don’t feel like you’re being smothered?”

I shifted in my seat. “No.”What does that mean?“But she knows this isn’t permanent.”

“And you trust her? Even if she’s not lying, how do you know she won’t change her mind?”

I snorted. “I trust her as much as I do you. And she won’t. We’ve known each other for a long time. She went into this without any expectations.”

“Wow. Now, I want to meet her.”

I froze.

“I never get to meet your women.”

---