“It was humiliating,” Sofia snapped. “Our foundation auctioned a naked portrait of my son’s cougar lover. And I was the one who chose her as host!”
Nathan sat next to her. “How much money did she make for the foundation that night? I could have a career because of her.”
Sofia pursed her lips, like she’d tasted something sour. “It’s embarrassing.”
“Do you see how everyone’s treating her? Like some predator who lured me into her art studio.” He could hear the irritation in his voice and tried to pull it back. His mother was grieving, and hurt people spread their pain around so they wouldn’t suffer alone. But he couldn’t let her cause more damage.
Sofia averted her eyes. “She’s an adult. She knew the risks.”
“So am I,” he said. “I knew the risks too, and I fell in love with her anyway.”
She cut her eyes and huffed. “Love?”
“Yes, love,” he said. “For a while now.”
She flicked a dismissive hand. “But how long have you known each other?”
“How long did you know Beto?”
They hadn’t said his name since he died. Sofia would leave the room when anyone talked about him outside of planning the funeral arrangements. But here, in Nathan’s apartment, there was nowhere for her to go. She glared at him. “That was different,” she said with a finality that tried to end the conversation.
“Not the way he told it,” Nathan said. He wasn’t going to let her escape this time. Too many years had gone by with all of them tiptoeing around their own stories. He’d wasted his chance to connect with Beto. He refused to do the same with his mother. “He said you two met on set and things were so intense you could barely look at him.”
Her voice softened. “Well, he just kept staring at me.” She touched her face, sliding back into the moment. “It wasn’t love at first sight, but it was… something.”
“You were always so quick to forgive him. For everything.”
“Because I loved him. And he needed it. He never would have survived without his family. And I needed to forgive him too. Hating someone you love only makes you smaller. Those feelings take up so much room.” She was silent for a few seconds and then looked up at him with a tired smile. “Is this my lesson? To not give Rachel Abbott my precious space?”
“Maybe,” Nathan said. “Also, show some compassion? You two are not that different.”
She ran a finger around the rim of her glass. “So, what exactly do you want from me?”
Nathan took a deep breath to shore up his resolve. Sofia watched him with growing apprehension. “Is there some other secret I don’t know about?” Her eyes widened. “Oh my god. You did not get her pregnant. Nathaniel! How could you be so—”
He touched her hand. “Rachel’s not pregnant.” He paused and let her catch her breath. “But even if she was, it’s my life. I don’t need you to agree with my choices, but I do need you to respect them.”
“I’ve always respected you.” She sat up straighter. “But I knew you were capable of so much more—”
“There you go again,” Nathan groaned. “Why does but come after every compliment? I need you to support me without so many buts.”
Her brow knitted and she sighed. “Okay. You’re right. I want the best for you boys, but I should think more about what you want for yourselves.” She made the sour face again. “Even if it is Rachel Abbott.”
“Go easy on her, please. She’s been through a lot.”
Sofia’s lips thinned. “For you, I will try. But be patient with me. I know you’re a man now, but—” Her chin trembled, and she covered her mouth. “Both of you. You’re still my little boys.”
Nathan scooted closer and she leaned into his embrace, covering him with the smell of jasmine that made him feel so safe as a child. Now she felt fragile. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held on tighter.
The chilly air circulating through the Abbott and Associates conference room seemed excessive for this time of year. Rachel tried not to show her discomfort. She wore a different version of the T-shirt and jeans she’d recently adopted as her new uniform. Across from her, all three Abbott men sat comfortably in their dark wool suits. She thought of the woman in the pencil skirt she’d seen on the way in. What did it feel like to work in an office so hostile to your gender that it literally froze you out?
“Is she still coming?” Ben glanced at his watch. He was the only one who seemed concerned by Julia’s absence. Matt was more preoccupied with the notifications on his phone. Herman wasn’t concerned about anything. He sat with a foot crossed over one thigh, and his hand resting next to a blank legal pad that he probably wouldn’t use.
Rachel folded her arms and did her best not to shiver. “She’ll be here.”
Ben sat back in his chair and exchanged a quick glance with Herman. His father’s face was impassive, but Ben was visibly tense. He had waffled between kindness to her and loyalty to the men beside him since she’d arrived. But ultimately, he was on the opposite side of the table.
Julia burst through the door carrying her purse, a briefcase, and a stack of brown accordion files under her arm. She set everything down with a thud. The files spilled their contents across the table, obscuring Herman’s legal pad. He eyed the mess but didn’t move to help. Julia sighed as she surveyed the room. “Well, this doesn’t feel fair. Three against one?” She smirked at Ben, who was staring at the empty sandwich wrapper that had landed near his hand. “Good to see you Benji. Been a while.”
Matt pushed her things away from him. “We’ve been waiting for half an hour. Don’t you have an assistant? Or a calendar?”
Herman didn’t speak until Julia repeated her complaint about the number of lawyers in the room. “It’s actually only two,” he pointed out. “Matt is the client here. Not counsel.”
“Lucky him,” Julia said. They were forced to wait again as she shoved the files around, searching for the right one. “Ah. Here we go. I really do need an assistant. Do you guys know anyone who’s looking for a job?”
Herman smiled. “We pay pretty well here. I doubt you can afford them.” His head tilted slightly. “But you should know that, right? Your mother was one of our best employees.”
Julia’s bemused mask turned to ice before she pasted on a huge, carefree smile. “I’ll tell her you said hello. Now, let’s talk money.”
Matt laughed. “What money? She’s not getting a dime from me. Not a fucking penny.”
Ben lifted his hand. “Hold on, Matt—”
“No, you hold on.” Matt glared at his brother and then focused on Herman. “Why is he here? You know he’s on her side—”
“Enough,” Herman said. He looked at Rachel. “You can understand where Matt’s coming from. You made a deal and didn’t follow through.”
“No.” Matt leaned across the table. “She ran around town, screwing that tattooed meathead instead of doing what she promised. Supporting me and my campaign.”