Page 17 of Saving You Losing Me

I shower and change into my workout gear and join mom in the kitchen where Vikki is preparing breakfast. She winks as she serves me fruit and rye toast, and I desperately try to contain my broad smile.

“Clara. Sit up straight and don’t slouch.” Mom snaps as she pours herself a mug of coffee.

“We have a busy day ahead of us.”

I say nothing as she consults her phone.

“First up is a visit to the personal shopper. We must acquire your college wardrobe and order the books on the list from the bookstore.”

“Can’t we do that online?”

It never ceases to amaze me how mom insists on doing everything the hard way and she scoffs, “We will use the bookstore in town because they rely on our patronage. Noteverything is progress, you know. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.”

She sighs heavily. “I have arranged to have lunch with a new friend of mine who is excited to meet you.”

“Who?” I’m curious and she peers at me over her phone and says with a strange spark in her eye.

“Rosa Santobello. Her family is new to the town and I am helping them settle in.”

I say nothing because this isn’t uncommon and then she says as an aside, “I believe her son Michael will be accompanying her.”

“Her son?” My heart sinks because I recognize that look.

“Yes, he is working with his father after having graduated college with honors. They are a formidable team already and you could do a lot worse than him, so make certain you dress appropriately and demonstrate what impeccable manners you have.”

Vikki catches my eye and shakes her head and I swallow the lump in my throat because something is happening here that I’m not going to like.

I say nothing and leave mom to her breakfast and head to the home gym to go through my workout.

However, I don’t have the energy for it today because there is a hollow feeling inside that has burst my bubble. This cannot be happening.

I wish more than anything I could swerve the morning with my mother and definitely lunch because it’s an endurance test at the best of times, but today is different. It’s as if there’s a storm coming and I haven’t reached shelter and more than anything I want to wait it out in Atom’s arms. He will protect me. He’s just what I need, but my parents would have a lot to say about that and none of it good.

After an interminable morningselecting the usual prim and proper suits and dresses mom insists I wear, we walk into the restaurant to find our guests already waiting. My heart sinks as Rosa’s son, Michael, stands and his appraisal runs like knives against my skin.

“Mrs. Gladstone.”

He kisses mom on both cheeks and she smiles graciously. “Michael, may I introduce my daughter Clara? I’m sure you have a lot in common, so please take the seat beside her.”

As he grasps my hand, he smiles apologetically and his soft smile surprises me. Perhaps he isn’t so bad after all.

As our mom’s chat, Michael leans closer and says softly, “I’m sorry about this, Clara. You must be wondering what the hell is going on.”

“It’s fine.” I smile as I remember my manners and he jerks his head in his mom’s direction.

“We are the new kids in town and the first impression is everything, according to mom. One day we’ll get to decide our own agenda. Will you drink to that?”

I nod, warming to him, and as we clink glasses, he smiles. “That’s better. Maybe you can relax knowing I’m not the big bad wolf you probably took me for.”

“I didn’t think anything of the kind.”

“Liar.” He chuckles and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“I understand you are working for your father.”

“Yes, security, mainly with imports on the side.”

“That sounds–” I falter, and he grins.

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