Page 80 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

That was when a colony of seagulls saved the day.

The birds cawed loudly as they flew above us. The next thing I knew, generous amounts of white droppings rained down on my opponent, perfectly landing on his face. Chuckles and disgusted groans echoed from the spectators as he swore and looked up at the offending birds.

Seizing the moment, I flung the ball across as hard as I could, hitting him squarely in the chest. Disappointed cries erupted from his supporters, while earsplitting cheers exploded from ours. Alec was the first one to rush to the court and hug me, lifting and twirling me with glee.

“You were amazing.” He grinned and bent down to brushmy mouth with a quick kiss, lingering for a little longer than he needed to.

Before I could process what just happened, Rob and Marisa engulfed me with hugs, and all my thoughts were swallowed by the whoops and cheers from the crowd.

CHAPTER 23You Weren’t Ready for the Truth

Everyone was still in high spirits when dinner rolled around. The restaurant was full of chatter and laughter, and people I didn’t know came up and congratulated me on our win. Alec had been grinning from ear to ear the whole evening, playing the perfect boyfriend role, hamming it up for everyone to see.

Completely, blissfully unaware that I was still reeling from my earlier revelation.

Halfway through dinner, Jacqui stood up and clinked a fork on her glass, sending a quiet hush throughout the room.

“Thank you all for being here tonight,” she began, looking every inch the successful, awe-inspiring businesswoman that she was. “This has been such a wonderful day, and I trust we’ve all enjoyed this chance to get to know our colleagues a little better.”

A smattering of applause went around the room.

“I’d also like to welcome our newest business partners, Alec Mackenzie and Rob Carmichael, from Mackenzie Constructions.” She motioned for the two to stand up, then raised her glass in a toast. “Gentlemen, we’re honored to have you with us. Wehave lots of exciting things on the horizon, and I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership. Welcome aboard.”

Murmurs of “welcome aboard” echoed around us. As Jacqui continued her speech, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, my eyes narrowing when I saw my mother’s number flashing on the screen. I hadn’t bothered to call her back after that night, because I wasn’t exactly keen to find out what she wanted. Knowing her, whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

I rejected the call, but another soon followed. It would take more than one rejection to deter Veronica Pang, and another call vibrated immediately after. I declined that one, too, and the next one after that, before finally turning the phone off.

Alec glanced at me. “Don’t you need to get that?”

“It’s not important.”

He raised his eyebrows at my clipped tone. “Is everything okay?”

I clenched my jaw. “That was my mother.”

His eyes widened, and he looked like he was about to say something but thought better of it. Without another word, he returned his attention to Jacqui, who was now announcing the employee recognition awards. I followed his lead and pushed the calls out of my mind, respectfully clapping whenever Jacqui called out a name and handed out the awards. All the while, my conscience nagged at me, whispering worries and doubts, making guilt rise a thousandfold inside my heart. My parents might be manipulative and overbearing, but they were still my family. What if she or my dad was sick, or in trouble? Eric would have told me if they were, wouldn’t he? Or what if she was calling about Eric?

My upbringing and years of being under her shadow sneakily crept their way back into my brain. My guilty conscience rapped me in the head, nagging and berating me for being such an ungrateful, inconsiderate daughter and sister.

And it emerged victorious.

Sighing, I leaned over to whisper to Alec, “I’m going to call her back.”

He turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “You want me to come with you?”

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine.”

Getting up, I walked out of the restaurant and found a quiet spot near the deserted pool. I turned my phone back on, then took a deep breath to compose myself before pressing her number. Two seconds later, the call connected.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”

I let out a long breath and braced myself.Here we go.

“I had never, not even once, received any calls from you since you left home. And now, when I’m being the bigger person, picking up the phone to call youfirst, you rejected them? Is that how I raised you?”

The temptation to toss my phone into the pool was so, so great.

“Obviously you’ve forgotten about your poor, old, aging parents. Very disappointed in you, Ellie.Verydisappointed.”

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