Page 201 of By His Vow
“Yeah?”
“You know, all you’ve got to do is say the word and you can be up here with me. Whatever job title, whatever salary, it can be yours.”
I smile at him.
To many, I’m sure it would mean the world and would be the opportunity they could only dream of.
But for me, not so much.
“Thank you. I appreciate it but?—”
“I love you, T. Enjoy your evening. Although not too much,” he adds quickly just before I close his door.
I let out a sigh as I move through the silent top floor of the building toward the elevator.
I’m not sure at what point my big brother learned to read me like a book, but he can.
He saw through those photographs, and it makes me wonder what else he can see when he looks at me.
Can he see the truth that I’m desperately trying to ignore?
49
TATUM
Bubbles explode on my tongue as I take another sip of champagne.
“Where the hell is she?” Lori asks, her gaze locked on the front door of the exclusive bridal shop we’re inside while she elegantly holds her own glass of bubbles like she’s been doing it her entire life.
“She’s not coming,” I state flatly.
Lori looks over at me, her expression softening.
“It’s fine,” I assure her, my chest aching with the truth.
Did I hope that Mom might be able to leave her grief behind for an hour so she could be here to see me try on wedding dresses? Yeah, there was a part of me that did. But there was another part that knew she wouldn’t, that it would be too much for her.
Pain lashes at my insides, but what can I do about it? Drag her out of the house kicking and screaming? She probably hasn’t even pulled herself out of bed yet, let alone attempted anything else.
I went over there on Wednesday night with a wedding invitation for her. I’d regretted the decision to try before I even stepped a foot inside. All the curtains were drawn. The whole aura around the building was depressing, and it only got worse when I entered.
Mom was drunk—that much was obvious the second I looked at her. The house was a mess. Hell, she was a mess. But she refused to accept any kind of help, just like I knew she would, and after spending half an hour with her, she basically told me to leave, so I did.
I want to help—I do; she’s my mom. But I’m also not going to force it on her. If she’s not willing to help herself, then I’m not going to put myself out, not when I’ve enough of my own issues to deal with right now.
“It’s not fine, Tate. She’s your mom; she should be here for this,” Lori argues.
For someone who has an interesting relationship with her own mother, she sure has high expectations of mine.
Plus, Kingston’s Mom isn’t even coming. At least mine will see the ceremony.
“The only person I need is sitting right beside me,” I assure my best friend.
The tapping of heels fills the room before one of the assistants appears before us.
“Okay, are we ready to get started?” she asks excitedly.
Her passion for her job is as clear to see as the wedding planner’s. However, I must admit that I’m feeling a little more excited about this than I was at our surprise meeting on Tuesday morning. I mean, we’re surrounded by beautiful gowns. Who wouldn’t be excited to try them all on?