Chapter 52

Skipping work felt like the right decision. I needed a break from the usual routine, especially after everything that had happened with Isadora. I couldn't go into work and pretend I was normal. Work would go on without me.

Part of it was because I knew I was going to have to go to HR and ask for another executive assistant. Isadora had spoiled me. I couldn't imagine working with another assistant. I didn't want to imagine it.

I wanted Isadora.

Too bad she hated me, and for good reason. I knew I had done her wrong. Talking to her would have solved so many problems, but after her father had threatened my family, I was too scared to cross him. I had thought that if I even said goodbye, Clive would make good on his threat and ruin my family's life. My cowardice back then would haunt me forever.

With all my friends busy working, there was only one person I could call. "Hey, Mom," I said when she picked up the phone. "Are you busy today?"

"Not at all. What's on your mind?"

"I was thinking we could spend the day together," I said. "Maybe go to a museum and grab lunch afterward?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "That sounds nice, Graham, but isn't it a workday? You never take days off. Are you okay?"

"I just felt like I needed a break," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "And what better way to spend it than with my favorite person? We've been saying we're going to do this for months. Today is a good day for it."

She laughed, and I could picture the twinkle in her eyes. "I'll be ready in an hour."

I hung up the phone and already felt better. Spending the day with my mom was exactly what I needed—a chance to forget about all the drama. And I didn't want to end up looking back on my life after my mother passed away and think I should have spent more time with her. That was a dark thought, but I was in a dark mood.

I got ready quickly, throwing on a casual outfit and grabbing my keys before heading out the door. I needed to stay busy, or I was going to call Isadora and I didn't want to do that. She didn't want to talk to me, and I wasn't going to push myself on her.

When I arrived at my mom's apartment, she was already waiting for me at the door, a bright smile on her face.

"Ready to go?" I asked, offering her my arm.

"Yes!"

She linked her arm through mine and off we went. When we arrived at the museum, we spent hours wandering through the exhibits, talking about the artwork and soaking in the beauty around us. It felt good to lose ourselves in something other than our own troubles, if only for a little while.

Afterward, we headed to a nearby café for lunch. She had given me a free pass at the museum, but I knew she was wondering what prompted our afternoon together. She was always my rock, my voice of reason, and I needed her guidance now more than ever.

"Are you ready to talk yet?" she asked.

I smiled, knowing it was coming. "A guy can't hang out with his mom without something being wrong?"

"You don't have to tell me, but I think you'll feel better if you do."

"You're right, Mom," I admitted with a sigh. I picked at my lunch, feeling suddenly like a child again, caught red-handed in some mischief. "I messed up."

Her eyes softened, and she reached over to pat my hand. "Graham," she started, speaking softly. "We all make mistakes. The important part is what we do afterward."

"I know." I nodded, looking down at the table. "It wasn't just a mistake, though. It was a choice. A terrible choice."

She remained silent, giving me time to collect my thoughts.

"Fifteen years ago, Clive Haskins told me to stay away from Isadora. He hated the idea of his little princess dating the help's son. He talked to me a couple of different times, but I ignored him. When he found out I was still seeing Isadora, he threatened to fire Dad if I ever talked to her again."

"I knew about the threat when it happened," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I tried to warn you then, Graham. But you were too young, too caught up in your own fears and insecurities to see the truth."

"He gave me twenty grand to leave her," I blurted out.

She nodded. "I know."

"I'm sorry, Mom," I said, my voice choked with emotion. "I should have listened to you. I should have told Isadora the truth from the beginning."

"It's never too late to make things right, Graham," she said. "If you want to fix this, you have to own up to your mistakes. You have to be honest with yourself and with Isadora. She deserves to know the truth, no matter how painful it may be."

"She knows the truth now," I said. "Clive made sure she did."

"Did you apologize?"

"I did." I nodded. "I don't think she cared. She was coming on pretty strong. I got angry and reminded her she lied to me as well. A lie by omission is still a lie, especially when it comes to a baby. If she's holding me to that standard, shouldn't it apply to her as well?"

"Yes, but I think you can understand why she might have felt especially hurt," she said gently.

"Yes," I admitted, my voice a whisper. "I can."

"Isadora still loves you," my mother finally said, breaking the silence. "That's why she reacted so brutally. Her feelings were hurt, and she lashed out."

After our heart-to-heart conversation, the atmosphere between us lightened, and we spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying each other's company. We laughed, we reminisced, and for a brief moment, I felt like everything was going to be okay.

I walked her to her door and gave her a hug. "Thanks for hanging out with me today," I told her. "You always know how to make things better."

"I will always be here for you," she said. "Things will be okay. Just apologize. Make her understand it was a bad mistake but it's one you've learned from."

"Thanks, Mom. I'll try."

I called Isadora again, hoping to talk, but she declined the call. I wasn't all that surprised. Just when I was about to wallow and assume she was never going to talk to me again, a text message came through.

I can't talk to you right now. I just need to cool down. I promise it won't be forever, but I don't want us to fight and say things we don't mean because we didn't let cooler heads prevail.

I grinned, feeling a huge weight lift from my shoulders. All was not lost. There was still a chance we could make this work. I could give her time.

Another text message came through, this time from Sloane. She asked if I had dinner plans. I told her I did, with her. She assured me Isadora was okay with it.

I picked her up outside their building, knowing I was not welcome in their apartment. "How's the leg?" I asked when Sloane got in the car.

"Good." She nodded. "It doesn't hurt anymore but it itches like crazy."

I chuckled. "Don't stick anything down your cast," I warned.

"I wasn't going to," Sloane said, looking wounded. "I know how to take care of myself. Plus, I already lost a quarter down there."

We arrived at the restaurant and were quickly seated. We chatted about trivial things, steering clear of any mention of Isadora or the strained relationship that had brought us here in the first place.

"I know you and Mom are fighting," she said. "She's mad at you, but you don't have to worry. She doesn't stay mad very long. When she gets mad at me, I just stay out of her way. She'll get over it pretty quick."

I laughed. "Good to know."

"You guys are really good friends, so it won't be long at all. One time she and Holly got into an argument. They didn't talk for a few days and then one day it was like it never happened."

"I wish it was that simple." I sighed. "Things get complicated."

Sloane shrugged. "Yeah, well we all make mistakes."

I scoffed lightly. "Understatement of the year."

She took a bite of her steak, chewing thoughtfully before setting down her fork. "It'll be fine."

"How is Todd?" I asked.

She grinned. "He's good. I think we're going to go to the movies this weekend. I can't wait to get the cast off. It's so embarrassing being on crutches all the time."

"I can imagine." I chuckled, remembering my own stint on crutches. "At least it's temporary."

"That's the only thing keeping me sane right now," she replied. It was nice to see Sloane in high spirits. It took some of the guilt off my shoulders.

Our dinner continued smoothly, filled with lighthearted banter and earnest conversation. We talked about everything, from the latest gossip around town to Sloane's school life and her dreams of becoming an Olympic swimmer.

"Sloane, I want you to know, if I would have known about you, I would have been in your life. When your mother and I broke up, I had no idea about you."

"I know," she said, shrugging.

I wanted her to understand, just in case she learned the whole truth and thought I sold her out. It was going to cause a ripple effect. She did not deserve to be collateral damage.

I drove her home after dinner, promising to talk to her soon. It killed me not being able to go up and see Isadora, but I had to give her the space she was asking for.

On my way home, I vowed to myself that I would no longer hide behind lies and half-truths, that I would strive to be open and honest with those I loved, no matter the consequences. Isadora deserved to know everything.

I was greeted by the silence of an empty apartment that was too big for me. If I got another chance with Isadora, I was not going to squander it.

I poured myself a drink and flopped on the couch. No sooner did I sit down than my phone vibrated. It was Spencer.

"I don't want to talk about it," I answered.

"What did you do?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked innocently.

"You didn't come to work, and rumor has it, Isadora quit," he said. "So, putting two and two together, you did something to piss her off and she quit. You're sulking."

I sighed. "She quit."

"No shit. Why?"

"She found out about what her old man did," I said. "She asked me about it, and I told her the truth."

"The whole truth?" he asked with surprise.

"And nothing but the truth."

"Damn," he murmured. "Obviously, it went well."

"She quit, so yeah, gold stars all around."

"She quit working for you, or she quit you?" he questioned.

"Both."

"Wow. That sucks. Now what?"

"Now, I hire another assistant."

"Don't be a dick," he said. "You know what I mean. Are you going to fix it with her?"

"I don't really have a choice in deciding that, but I am going to try. She said she needed space. I'm giving her space."

"Be careful. Don't give her too much space."

"I know." I sighed. "I'm working on it."

"Her dad is a grade-A douchebag."

I smiled. "Yes, he is."

"Will you be coming into the office tomorrow?"

"Yes," I replied. "But I won't have an assistant."

He chuckled. "You'll figure it out."