"Carmen, I've told the gardener to trim the bushes in the back of the garden.I'll be upstairs if you need anything."
My mom nods curtly, and once Jeremy leaves, she returns to her chair."You said you had something important to discuss?"
I take a sip of the perfectly made espresso, gathering my thoughts.This conversation has been fifteen years in the making, and still, I'm not ready."Yeah, I did.Do you remember when I went to Los Angeles for eight months?"
My mom swallows hard."You mean after—" Grief flashes across her face before her mask slips back into place.
"Yeah," I cut in, sparing us both from saying it aloud."During my time there, I met a woman called Jessica Davis.We...hung out while I was there."My fingers tighten around the espresso cup."A few weeks ago, I received a call from social services in Los Angeles.Jessica died in a car accident."
"Oh, how tragic," my mom murmurs, palm pressed to her chest in that practiced way of hers.
"Jessica had a daughter—" I stop as she turns back to her list, scribbling something down.Familiar anger burns in my gut at her dismissal.Fine.Have it your way."The daughter Jessica had is mine, Mom."
The pen clatters to the marble floor."What?"
"Fifteen years ago, Jessica gave birth to a girl, and I'm the father."
"That is ridiculous."She shoots up from her chair, perfectly manicured hands gripping the table edge."How on earth is that possible?"
"Sex," I note with a smug grin, watching color flood her cheeks.She inspects my face, and when she sees I'm serious, she drops back into her seat.Her hand covers her mouth, and for once, the gesture seems genuine.
"I reacted the same way when the woman from child services called."I lean forward, elbows on my knees."To clear up what I assumed was a misunderstanding, I flew to Los Angeles.But the second I met Samantha..."My voice softens at the memory."I knew without a doubt that she's mine."
My mom's gaze turns calculating."What if she's not yours?"
I straighten my back."A paternity test confirmed it."
The silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken accusations.Finally, she speaks, "What are you going to do?A child in your life is an immense responsibility, Cole.I don't think—"
"Samantha is already living with me, Mom."Her lips part in shock."What?She's at your house?"
I scratch the back of my neck, the gesture betraying more nervousness than I'd like."Yes, after the test showed I was her biological father, I signed the documents and took her home with me."
My mother's mouth opens and closes several times before words emerge."How did they find you?"
"Samantha remembered her mom mentioning that her father was from Boston.Jessica had put my name on the birth certificate."
My mom sinks back in her chair, and for a moment, I see past her perfect facade to the woman beneath."You've been keeping my granddaughter from me.Why?"
I pinch the bridge of my nose, fighting a familiar headache."Yes, I did.With excellent reason.We both needed time to adjust.Samantha lost her mother and had to leave her entire life in Los Angeles behind to come live with me."
"How on earth are you going to take care of a fifteen-year-old?You're a busy businessman.You don't have time to raise a child."
"I have my office at home now."I shrug, though the adjustment hasn't been easy."I work from there when she's home and schedule appointments during school hours.It's challenging, but we're making it work."
My mom blinks, processing this information.Then her eyes light up in a way that makes my stomach drop."When can I meet her?"
I sigh, already seeing where this is heading."What about next Sunday?"
She nods, a familiar calculating look crossing her face."But, you know this means you need a suitable woman at your side as soon as possible?The girl needs female support in her life."Her eyes dart to the list on the table."What about Amy, the daughter of my friend Tracy?She's amazing."
"No.I'm already dating someone," I blurt out, desperate to head off another matchmaking attempt.
Her face transforms with astonishment."W...what?Who are you seeing?What is her name?What does she do?"
The emerging headache pounds harder."Cole, if this is another one of your games, I—"
"No, Mom, I'm serious."I run my hand through my hair."The woman I'm seeing is helping me with Samantha."It's not exactly a lie, but my gut twists anyway.
