Page 35 of Invisible Scars
“No, you aren’t,” she says, laying her cheek against my chest and closing her eyes with a deep inhale. “This isn’t a safety issue, Joe. It’s just my mom.”
Every part of me wants to argue with her, tell her she needs me there, so Ineedto be there. It doesn’t matter if the threat is physical or not. But the last thing Effie needs is me forcing myself into the complicated relationship she has with her mother.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Positive.”
“Okay.” I tighten my arms around her, molding her softness into me. “I’m here if you need me.”
“As a friend?” she asks with a small smirk.
“Is that what we are?” I raise an eyebrow and take her chin, tilting her face up to mine and stroking over her dimple.
Effie shrugs. “I need to get going.”
I nod, releasing my hold. Effie gives me one last lingering look before turning and walking away.
A heaviness settles in my chest as I watch her disappear into a taxi. I look around the reception area, first toward my office, then toward the pool. But my eyes keep returning to the sliding doors. I know I should respect her request and let her handle this meeting with her mother on her own, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is off.
Unable to resist, I clutch the glasses case and speed to my car and start the engine. I tell myself that I’m just keeping an eye on her, making sure she’s safe. But deep down, I know it’s more than that.
I follow Effie’s cab from a distance, making sure not to attract attention. As we drive through the city, my mind races with thoughts and scenarios. What if something goes wrong? What if Harlow tries to make a move on Effie? If I’m not there to intercept, I’ll never forgive myself.
The taxi comes to a stop outside an upscale sushi restaurant. I park my car a short distance away, my eyes fixed on Effie as she steps out and enters the restaurant. I stay in my car, watching the entrance, waiting.
Effie’s mother arrives shortly after. She looks so much like Effie I’m taken aback. But then, upon closer examination, I notice the subtle differences between the two women. Effie’s mother carries herself with less gravitas. There’s a slight slump in her shoulders, and the way she looks around, seeming lost, makes me feel sorry for her.
I remain in my car, trying not to think about what’s going on inside. As the minutes tick by, my eyes stay trained on the restaurant doors. The thought of storming into the restaurant to protect Effie crosses my mind, but I don’t want to undermine her independence.
So, I do the only thing I can to respect her boundaries. I sit and wait.
10
EFFIE
“Mother.”I stand to greet her as she approaches.
Deborah Teitelbaum, always up to par with the latest fashion trends of the upper NY milieu, does something I’ve never seen her do before and rushes her steps. My heart skips a beat, and I force my hands not to stretch out and accept her into my embrace.
She stops a foot away from me, a pained smile twisting her lips and tears welling in her eyes.
“You look well, Fifi.” She lifts her hands and cups my cheeks, nodding her approval.
I squash down the disappointment, forcing a curt smile before resuming my seat at the table. “Thank you.”
Mother beams and sits across from me, smiling at the waitress that brings us the menus. It’s the happiest I’ve seen her in decades.
“How’s…work?” Her otherwise genuine joy falters at the word, and I hold back the bitter laughter. She’s never been one to believe in the fading of traditional gender roles.
“Work is great.” I should end it at that, but I can’t resist rubbing my life choices in her face. “I love being in charge, and the guys I manage are slightly scared of me, which is funny considering they’re all burly ex-military men.”
The corner of her eye bounces, a telltale sign that she’s fighting her facial muscles, so they won’t twist her expression into disgust, probably. It gives me sick pleasure knowing how it pains her to hear that I’m strong and independent.
“Speaking of men, is there anyone special in your life?”
An image of Jonah flashes before me—his dark eyes full of tender concern. Everything inside me melts when his gaze softens for me as if I fray him around his jagged edges.
“No one worth mentioning.” I shrug. “Shall we order?”
