Page 69 of Prudence
Nuala shot me a sheepish look. “I may have gotten a little carried away.”
I shook my head with a chuckle and returned to the living room where Milly and my mother were conducting a hushed conversation.
“I just can’t get enough of her little curls.”
“She’s definitely the cutest newborn I’ve seen in a long time,” Milly agreed.
“I need to get back to the office,” I said, glancing first at Milly then at Mam.
“Oh, before you go,” Mam said. “I’ve been meaning to mention. Kayla will be arriving in two weeks. She managed to secure that apartment she was looking at. It’s only around the corner from your place. Your Aunt Faye told me to tell you that Kayla said you were such a gentleman to show her around and that she’d love to see you again once she settles in.”
I tensed as my gaze flicked to Milly. Mam was oblivious to what was going on between us. Therefore, she saw no problem talking about another woman’s interest in me right in front of the woman I was currently infatuated with. I wasn’t attracted to Kayla, and though she was very pretty, I felt no connection there. To be perfectly honest, the only reason I’d offered to show her around on her last visit was because I’d known Milly was eavesdropping on the conversation, and I’d wanted to piss her off. Make her jealous. It had been petty, yes, but I’d been in a fairly petty mindset at the time, resenting her reappearance in my life and how much I was still drawn to her even after so many years apart.Angry at how easily she still got under my skin.
Now it was different. The heat between us was sharp and instinctive. More mature. But it didn’t burn me; it grounded me. Much like her presence in my life.
I wasn’t just drawn to Milly. I was falling for her all over again. Or maybe I never really stopped.
Clearing my throat, I responded to my mother, “I’m not interested in seeing Kayla again.” My eyes were on Milly. She had her focus on the baby, but I could tell by the stiff lines of her shoulders that the idea of me with another woman was anuneasy thought. Good. Because I felt the same way about her being with anyone else.
“But she’s so lovely,” Mam said, like she couldn’t understand me at all. “You could certainly do a lot worse. Maybe if you spent a little more time with her, you’d find that you actually quite like—”
“I don’t want to see her, Mam,” I reiterated, my tone final. “So just drop it.”
Mam’s eyes flashed with surprise at my abruptness. I glanced at Milly again, who was still studiously focused on the baby. Not being one to miss social cues, Mam quickly noticed how I was staring at Milly, and some kind of realisation dawned because she suddenly looked at Milly with brand new eyes.
“I see,” she said, looking back to me again. “Well, we’ll leave it at that, then.” A mirthful smile began tugging at her lips as she glanced back and forth between Milly and me with a spark of delight. A short moment passed, and I could sense Milly’s awkwardness even though she hadn’t made a single contribution to the exchange.
“Will we be seeing you for dinner tonight?” Mam asked then, and I nodded.
“Yes, so long as I can get finished up at the hotel early enough, I’ll be there.”
Then, with forced casualness, Mam turned to Milly, “Would you like to join us for dinner, too, dear? I’m making my famous Beef Wellington, and I always end up with leftovers. We’d love to have you over. You can tell us all about this new job you’re starting soon. Nuala tells me you’re going to be a college lecturer.”
Even though Mam was clearly meddling, I strangely hoped for Milly to say yes. Being apart from her because of work had been torture, and I’d take any extra moment to spend time with her that I could get—even with my entire family for an audience.
“Oh,” Milly said, blinking like the invite had blindsided her. She obviously had no idea about my mother’s excellent deductive skills. Somehow, within the awkward silence of me declining to see Kayla again, she’d figured out that something was going on between us, and if I knew my mother, she’d be merciless in pushing us together until we finally admitted that we were quietly seeing one another. Though, as I said, opportunities to actually date Milly had been few and far between now that I’d taken over Dad’s role at work.
“Sure,” Milly went on. “That sounds nice. I’d love to come to dinner.”
Satisfaction swept across Mam’s face as she cast me a pleased look, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes like a teenager whose parent knew he fancied the girl next door.At the same time, my chest warmed with happiness that she’d said yes, and I’d get to spend some time with her. Dragging a hand through my hair, I emitted a quiet breath and then said, “Well, in that case, I’ll see you both later. I’d better go.”
“See you later, Derek,” Milly replied quietly, while Mam said, “Goodbye, son.”
By the time I got back to the office, my assistant, Whitney, had a million things that required my attention. However, I did manage tap out a quick message to Milly.
Me: FYI, my mother knows about us now.
Her response came fast.
Milly: What? How? Did you tell her?
I smirked at her obvious panic. We were a couple of thirty-somethings, and Milly was acting like an embarrassed teenager with a new boyfriend.
Me: No, but she has a sixth sense for these things.
Milly: Do you still want me to come to dinner?
Me: Of course. I want you any way I can have you.
