My mother is speaking, but I’m paying scant attention. My gaze keeps straying to my cell phone. I left a message for Sloane asking to meet for drinks and he hasn’t returned my call yet.
I’ve had him on my mind continually and I’m so sorry my annual trip with Mother took me away from Houston. But we’re leaving tomorrow. As of today, he’s been in the city for nine days and has five to go. I want to fill his bed for his last five, and I don’t care what I have to do to achieve that.
“Dear, I think a dinner party would cheer Georgiana from her time in the hospital with that nasty infection.”
Still crisp and stylish at seventy, Mother tastes her red wine. I sometimes wonder if she went through the stage that I am, where age feels like an albatross. But she’s always been elegant and refined, and expected the same from me. As much as possible, I’m the untouchable Cassandra McCall.
“I’m still cross with you that your husband had to call and tell me Georgie was in the hospital.”
I smile tightly. “An oversight on my part, Mother.” And one she’ll harp on forever. I sincerely regret forgetting to call her, but I needed to get to the concert and live my life.
I pick up my glass of wine and take a dainty sip. In the privacy of my room, I sometimes forego even a glass and drink from the bottle. “She’s fine. She’s been released from the hospital and…she’s fine,” I add. It’s as much as I know. I haven’t called her, and she’s digging her heels in and refusing to call me. All the better. She’ll stay out of my way.
“I told Parnell he wasn’t aggressive enough in trying to convince Mason Sloane to give Georgiana guitar lessons. Something to cheer the child up.”
Unable to stop it, I cough at her words. Tapping my fingers against my chest to clear my airway, I straighten in my seat and gather my composure. “It’s Sloane Mason,” I inform her.
Mother shrugs. “I don’t care. I just want Georgiana happy. His name can be Dr. Pepper.”
“He’s a rocker, Mother,” I bite out. “An oversexed womanizer whom I don’t want near Georgie.”
“Parnell says she’s a big fan of the man and his band.”
“I don’t care!”
My voice is too sharp and my mother narrows her eyes. She studies me for long moments and I glance away, seething inside. She knows me. All of my weaknesses and all of my faults. I snatch my wine glass and down the contents. Mother starts an annoying tappity-tap of her fingers on the restaurant table. I can’t believe she’s doing something so uncouth, so I glare at her.
“She’s your daughter,” Mother states coldly. “You’re her mother. You shouldn’t have to give up your life, Cassandra. I concede that. But you shouldn’t forget to include her in your life. You should have some feelings for her.”
I have no comment. I hope Georgie is well, but I can’t see the wrong in my decision. “Mother, I have a life. She’s going to grow up…She’s practically grown already,” I amend, “and she’s going to live her life. She won’t care if I’m lonely and alone. No one will see anything wrong with her ignoring me to concentrate on work and friends and lovers. I’m doing no more than what she’ll do to me.”
Mother’s hard, unblinking stare unnerves me. She’s the only person in my life I fear. No. I fear Georgie, too, but it’s a different kind of fear. I fear retribution from my mother. With Georgie, I fear being overshadowed.
Mother opens her mouth to speak at the very same time a text message comes through. My heart quickens when I notice Sloane’s name and I allow my gaze to drop to the words.
I’m sorry. Tight schedule won’t allow us to meet up again.
I reread the message and my eyes blur. It isn’t often that I’m rejected by anyone and this now is the second time Sloane has done it to me. We fucked so fabulously, I didn’t believe he’d turn down another chance to be with me.
I search for another tact, suddenly floundering in my mother’s silence. It unnerves me and I’m a child all over again. My head is starting to pound and I want to escape to my room.
A light goes off in my brain and I send a reply. I’m planning a dinner party. To cheer up my daughter. She’s your #1 fan and I’ll forever be in your debt if you’d attend.
I press send, a smug smile tugging at my mouth.
“Why don’t you send Georgiana to live with me?”
Mother’s voice startles me and I blink. “What?”
“Georgiana. With me. Living.”
“My God, Mother. Please stop talking like that. It drives me insane.”
She smiles and the laugh lines around her eyes crinkle. “I know.”
Glaring at her, I switch my attention to my silent phone. Young or old, it never gets easier waiting for a man’s response. “I’ll not allow Georgie to live with you.”
“The girl has no friends. No social life. No anything.” By her tone, I know she’s laying part of the blame on me. “She should be getting prepped for her debut into Society.”