“Oh yes, ‘course, sorry. I’ll just pass you over to Hannah… Anytime, I’m sure he’d love to. Hold on one second,” she says.
My line rings on my office phone and I pick up. “Are you that desperate to talk to someone you choose to torment my assistant with your golf handicap and try to lure her boyfriend out?”
He chuckles, that deep in his throat one I’m used to. The one that means too many cigars the night before. Must have been guy’s night out.
“You should come and join me or find a real man who plays. Should’ve known Todd was a loser from the moment I played with him. Didn’t know how to angle his approach.”
I pick up my pen, teetering it back and forth in my fingers. “Good thing you don’t need to worry about that now.”
“Yes, thankfully. I need you to organize your mother’s birthday party. I’d do it, but she’ll figure me out. I’ll say I had to loan you some money, deposit it in your bank account.”
My parents have had access to my bank accounts so they could deposit since I was old enough to take out money.
“I’m really pressed for time with the gala, Dad, and Mom’s birthday is practically right after. Can’t we just skip a big do this year?”
“No.” He uses the stern voice I’ve heard only a few times like when he found me and Beau Thornton with weed in our basement when I was sixteen. I’m still impressed that I kept the secret that Beau pissed himself when my dad hauled him up to the wall by his Lacoste polo.
“Can I hire someone?” I ask.
“Clearly, you have your marketing director handling the gala. You’ve been organizing that for months. If you’re doing what I taught you to do, you’re in the final stages which means there’s not much more you can do at this point. I’m asking you to plan a small gathering for your mother. We can use one of the private rooms at the club. She needs to know we love and adore her.” The strong female I usually am would tell anyone else absolutely not, but it’s my father and as many issues as my mother and I have had over the years, I still love her.
“I’ll get it handled. Send me a guest list.”
“There’s the daughter I raised.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Your mother loves you and has done a lot for you. Remember that.”
I don’t remark on having to go with my friend and her mother to prom dress shop. Or the fact that she sent someone directly to me to fit me for the debutante ball she made me be a part of. Or the fact that the last time I ate a meal with her the sole focus was her wondering what the social fallout would be of my divorce.
“I have to get back to work.” I tap the pen from side to side on my desk.
“I haven’t seen you at any functions in a while. Is there a man taking up your time?”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. Do I tell him or leave it for a surprise? Shit. I don’t even know how my dad will react. I’m not going to hide Roarke, but he’s not from our world. Even if his bank account would rival those that are, he wasn’t bred into society like I was.
“I may bring someone to Mom’s party. It’s early and I don’t want to say anything too soon.” That’s an honest answer and I kind of want to pat myself on the back for coming up with it spur of the moment.
“What’s his name? Do I know him?” my dad asks.
“Like I said, you’ll find out at Mom’s party if we’re still going strong.” I reach for my cup of coffee with my free hand and take a swig.
I delay the inevitable. My mom for sure will delve into her own dark web search to find out everything she can about Roarke. She always makes sure she has more information than anyone else, so she’ll never be surprised if someone else digs something up before her.
“Okay, okay.” He chuckles to himself, lightening the mood. “Let me know if you need anything. Make it small and intimate. You know your mom doesn’t like to be a burden.”
I just about choke on my coffee. Are we talking about the same woman?
“Sure thing. Just send me the list asap so I can get the invitations out.”
“Of course, I’ll work on it this morning. I can’t wait to meet this boy of yours.”
He’s far from a boy.
“Okay, Dad, gotta go.”
“I’m coming to the city later in the week. I have to talk to Cliff, get an update on our hedge fund. Let’s do lunch.”
I release a breath. “Sure, give me a call.”
“Bye, Han. Don’t let this new guy walk all over you.”
“I won’t, Dad. Bye.” My fingers press on the button to end the call and my head falls down onto my desk.
“Didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you have to plan a birthday party?” Victoria arrives in the doorway. “That took the glow from your cheeks.” She sits down in the chair in front of me looking all cute in a Tiffany-blue dress.
“Yeah, but I’m calling in a favor from my event organizer. No way I’m planning her party just to be ridiculed about choosing the wrong linens and flowers.” I grab my phone searching for the number of the woman who does all the events at the club. She’ll make sure everything is up to my mom’s standards.
“You really don’t like your mom, huh?”
I click on the number and my thumb hovers while I continue talking to Victoria. “Neither of us care much for the other. I’m a constant disappointment and she’s always advising me on how I could’ve been a perfect wife if I’d only cut out my tongue.”
“She said that?” Victoria’s mouth goes slack jaw.
“No, but heavily implied my sharp tongue needs controlling if I’m ever going to keep a man.”
“She’s so different than my mother.” She shakes her head.
“Your mom is nothing like mine, believe me.”
“I thought something was up since she’s never set foot in the office or called the office line.” She stands, seeing my phone lit up, waiting to call the person. Forever the perfect assistant and I’m going to miss her help when I promote her.
“Yeah, there’s no scheduled lunch dates and I’d never trust her with my daughter if I ever had one.”
Victoria’s mouth dips down. I’m sure it’s a buzzkill since her, Jade, and her mom are like a three-generation trio of love. “I’ll let you make that call then. Can I handle anything for you? Balloons? Entertainment? Just let me know.”
“You’re the best ever, thanks.”
Her lips turn up into her usual optimistic smile and she shuts the door on her way out.
I make the phone call and luckily Tracy is more than happy to organize a Crowley event. She gushes on how much she loves my mom and I’m pretty sure she’ll make the event jaw-dropping amazing. I snap my usual enthusiasm into place because we wouldn’t want anyone getting the idea that I don’t want to plan her party. Let them believe I’m just swamped with this non-profit foundation I’m running. My mother can spin anything the way she wants. Good ol’ mother, reputation is key.
Chelsea walks in as I end the call.
“Am I bothering you?” She sits down in the chair in front of me. No papers in her hand, no phone clutched in her grip. Fear that she’s turning in her notice wraps around me.