Page 72 of Delicate Storm

And it’s Mom. As though she sensed I needed to speak with her.

“Mom?” I answer, a little thrown.

“Hi Sweetie.” She sighs loudly into the phone before whispering, “I’m sorry.”

“What?” My confusion deepens.

“I miss you and I shouldn’t be holding that over your head. Plenty of kids fly the coop. I shouldn’t have expected you to stay close forever.”

Wow. Again… what? “Thank you. I miss you too. But where did this come from?”

Mom sighs again. “I was updating my will, and it made me realize how selfish I’ve been.”

“Did you take me out of it?” I joke. At least, I hope it’s a joke. And when Mom laughs, I’m somewhat relieved. Not because I’m desperate for the money, more so because I wouldn’t want her to cut me out of her life like that.Andbecause my brother should not be left with our family’s fortune. The world doesn’t need that. And he can’t handle that much responsibility.

“I would never take you out of my will,” Mom confirms. “Your brother drives me crazy on a daily basis and he’s still there.”

“Good to know.” That confirms that he hasn’t changed. I really should call him too. One day. For now… “I was actually about to call you.”

“Yeah. Yeah. I already said you’re in the will.”

I laugh but it lacks enthusiasm. “I know. But I’m not kidding. I… I…”God, why is this so hard?“I wanted to ask you about the Mikkleson family.”

“Oh.” Mom falls silent before she sucks in a breath.

“Do you know why I’m asking?”

“I have an idea.”

“So…” I trail off, prompting her to fill in the gap.

“How did you find out?”

“It doesn’t matter. I just want you to explain.”

Mom’s quiet again before she releases a sigh. “Okay. I’d been out drinking and met Gabriel at Rounders Bar. We’d crossed paths many times before, and I always found him a little boring. But when he drinks, that man is a hoot. I wasn’t thinking. Neither of us were. And it just happened.”

What?My brows furrow as her words roll around in my mind. Gabriel? “Are you saying you slept with my ex-boyfriend’s dad?”

“Yes. Isn’t that what you were talking about?”

“No. Mom. Ew. When?”

“A year ago.”

“A year ago? Then…” This doesn’t make sense unless— “Are you still fucking him?”

“Paige. You’re talking to your mother.”

“Excuse me. Are you still having relations of a sexual nature?”

Mom releases a slow drawn-out breath, giving me my answer. And God, does it complicate things. “He’s married,” I say in case she needs the reminder.

“I know.”

“Andhe’s my ex’s dad,” I add, hoping she’ll see the error of her ways. But of course she doesn’t.

“I know that too.”

---