Page 118 of Wicked Minds
“I can’t imagine how difficult it must be, being away from her.”
“It’s unbearable. Saying goodbye to her last time was just as painful as when I left for Halston.” Already feeling that ache in my chest, I add, “I know it’s going to be just as agonizing today.”
The hand Logan has on the steering wheel tightens around it. “Fuck the lawyers. Why don’t I just pay your mom off, and we can bring Aurora back with us today.”
I start to laugh, but it dries up when he glances my way, expression solemn.
“Uh, because you just can’t.”
“Why?”
“Uhhh… because my mom would probably demand more than it would take to raise Aurora for the next fifteen years.”
“So?”
Realizing that this isn’t a conversation he’s going to let drop, I blow out a breath as I give it some consideration.
“She wouldn’t accept your money,” I state after giving it a moment’s thought. “She has money. I dunno how much or where it comes from—her divorce, maybe? She’s always hitting me up for money. Except for the way she dresses and the clothes she wears, there’s no way she can afford those designer brands on the pittance I give her every month.”
Logan practically vibrates in his seat. “Then why the fuck is she demanding money from you?”
I shrug. “Control. To make me miserable. I dunno.”
“That’s fucked up.”
The most unladylike snort escapes me ‘cause, yeah, it’s seriously fucked up, but that’s my mother for you.
“Alright, paying her off won’t work,” he says, defeated.
I stroke my thumb across the back of his hand. “Let’s try the legal way, yeah? If that doesn’t work, we can try bribing her. Money might not work, though maybe a pair of limited-edition Manolo Blahnik heels will.”
I feel like I’ve won when his lips tilt up. “I’ll start buying up everything I can find.”
I burst out a laugh, and the conversation falls to easier topics for the rest of the journey to Springview. Once we reach the city limits, I direct Logan to a park near Mom’s house where she told me to meet her. He parks in a space off to the side, where my mom is less likely to notice him.
“Which one is she?” he asks, scouring the play park for Aurora.
It takes me a second to scan the various kids rushing around before I identify Aurora,stillwearing her too-small winter coat. “That one there, in the pink coat,” I tell him, pointing out the windshield.
His eyes flare as his lips lift, and he follows her as she runs from the swings to the slide, climbing the ladder before sliding down it with her hands in the air and an infectious laugh on her face.
“She’s gorgeous,” he says admiringly.
“She is.”
Tearing his eyes from her, he looks at me. “Well, go spend time with your baby girl, Mama. I’ll be here.”
I press a chaste kiss to his lips, but before I can retreat, his palm slides into my hair, holding me to him as he pries my lips apart so he can spear my mouth with his tongue.
By the time I stumble out of the car, I’m dazed, and the smug smirk on Logan’s face as I close the door tells me that was his intention.
Thankfully, the crisp air douses my hormones as I walk over to the play park where my mother is waiting, sitting on a hard bench while Aurora circles so she can go down the slide again.
“Mom,” I greet tersely, stepping up to her. Her head snaps toward mine.
“Riley.” Glancing down at her Cartier watch—one I don’t recall her having when she was with Bertram—she tacks on, “You’re late.”
“By two minutes.” Jeez.
