Biting my lip, I debated whether I should just sprint out of the house and leave her to it.
“Miles is coming,” I blurted out. Her face dropped, and I leant forwards slightly, ready to take off if necessary.
“Miles is what?”
I cringed. “Coming here. Now.”
She stayed perfectly calm, but she was probably planning how she could kill me and dispose of my body.
“Mum?”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Thank you? What? “Huh?”
She smiled and replied, “I need him here.”
Admitting that was hard for her, I could tell. She didn’t trust men any more, so it wasn’t easy for her to let one into our lives.
“So you admit it? You like Miles?”
“Don’t get too carried away, young lady.” She grinned sheepishly, which told me everything.
The doorbell rang, and Mum jumped.
“Wow, he has good timing,” I muttered.
Mum slowly rose out of the seat and walked to the front door. I didn’t answer the door now. The press were constantly outside, and I really didn’t want to be dealing with them taking pictures and firing questions at me.
The door opened and closed so quickly that I almost missed Mum grabbing Miles’ arm and pulling him inside. I sat still in shock and stared them staring at each other. I wasn’t sure if I should sneak off upstairs and leave them alone or at least say hello to Miles. I felt awkward watching them.
“Oakley,” Miles said, finally breaking eye contact with my mum. “How are you?”
I stood up and gave him a quick hug. Mum didn’t tense up like she did when other men were too close to me. She trusted Miles, whether she realised it or not. I trusted him too, or I wouldn’t go anywhere near him.
“I’m okay. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course.” His eyes flicked back to Mum, and she smiled, blushing lightly.
“Well, I’m going to go do that thing I have to do.” I turned on my heel and practically sprinted to the stairs. They needed some time to talk and hopefully finally admit how they felt about each other, and I certainly didn’t need to witness it.
Once in Lizzie’s room, I debated leaving the door open a crack and listening but I resisted and dialled Cole’s number instead. He answered after the second ring.
“She’s not killed you then?”
I laughed and laid back on the futon. “Actually she took it really well. She was pleased.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. So how’s work going?”
“It’s going. I’ve got about another five hours, and then I’m all yours.” That sounds good. “I’ve been offered more money for my story again.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry, Cole.” Since the start the trial everyone close to me had been asked constantly for their side of the story. No one had, and I knew they wouldn’t, I just hated the hassle they were receiving.
“Not your fault,” he said, dismissing the issue completely. “What are you doing then?”
“Staying in Lizzie’s room until I know it’s safe to go downstairs. I would read, but all her books are Katie Price’s autobiographies.”
“I’d read them.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
He laughed and then sighed. That meant he was wrapping up the conversation. “I have to go now, babe, but I’ll see you after work.”
I grinned. “Okay. I love you.”
“Love you too,” he replied before hanging up.
Sighing happily, I pulled a Cosmopolitan magazine down off the end of Lizzie’s bed. I hadn’t even finished reading the ‘Eat Yourself Thin’ article when Mum pushed the door open.
“How’s it going?” I asked.
“We’ve just been talking,” she said, a little too defensively for it to be entirely true. “Lunch is ready. We’ve made chicken Caesar salad.”
“We’ve?”
“Yes, Oakley. Miles helped.”
“Any kissing yet?” Her face turned a deep shade of pink, and I gasped. “You have!”
“I’m an adult!”
I laughed and stood up. “I know that. It’s a good thing, Mum. No one deserves to be happy more than you.”
She smiled; her face softened and she replied, “I can think of one person. Now, lunch. You need to eat.”
Miles was only here for a week before he had to return to work. Thankfully, though, he was coming back again as soon as he could arrange the time off. I sat at the table next to Mum while Miles was opposite her.
“How’s work without me?” Mum asked. I had a feeling this was a topic she’d saved for when I was with them. That was good. I didn’t need to hear all the mushy stuff.
“Dull and busy. We’re all looking forward to your return.”
I frowned as they talked about going back to Australia, realising that as much as I hated being here, I didn’t want to leave Cole. I had to eventually though, especially if they got off.
“Probably another eight weeks. I think we’ll have roughly three to four weeks wait for the sentencing of both. I’ll be working from my laptop once Oakley’s finished in court though,” Mum explained.