Page 102 of Ice Darling
Sasha: Seems like we’ll have to step in again and get this love story back on course.
Brenda: Yes, it seems so indeed.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cordelia
My mother calls during my lunch break the next day.
I set aside my fish sticks and microwavable macaroni dinner, wipe my hands with a rag, and tap my cell phone screen.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Darling, how have you been?”
I shrug. “The same.”
“I was supposed to visit Lucky Falls, but I had a sudden business trip and couldn’t make it. I sent Brennon to fill in for me though. Have you two met?”
“He invited me to dinner.”
“How lovely!” Mom enthuses. “Brennon comes from averygood family, and he’s been a friend of yours for years. It’s only natural you two would progress from friends to lovers.”
“We’re notlovers.” I frown at the prospect. “It was just a friendly dinner. I’m seeing someone, remember?”
“Ah, yes. The ‘mysterious love of your life.’”
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Those were your words, dear. Not mine. I only hope he lives up to the hype.”
“You’ll meet him later,” I say, slightly cringing. Renthrow and I aren’t talking right now. I can’t imagine how we’ll handle faking a relationship in front of my mom.
“You could send me a picture or at least tell me more about him.”
“I…” I don’t really want to wax on about how great Renthrow is right now either.
“Delia, if you’re hesitating because you two aren’t serious yet, then I see no reason why you can’t meet other people.”
“Mom, even if I wasn’t with him, I wouldn’t want to be set up with every eligible bachelor on your business roster.”
“I sent Brennon there for work. It wasn’t personal.”
“Even if I believed that, you have companies worth ten times more than the Lucky Strikers. Why send the head of your investment division personally when a few back-and-forth emails would have done the job?”
“This is my first sports team. I want to do it right,” Mom says, not missing a beat.
I give up, knowing that I won’t be able to win an argument with her. “I really need to get back to work, Mom.”
“Just one more thing, dear.” Mom’s sigh whooshes through the phone. “I still have some details to wrap up here, so I’m sending Mills ahead to Lucky Falls. I need to find a nice place to stay while I’m in town.”
Dread fills my veins. “How long are you staying?”
“I’m not sure. But the nicest five-star hotel ishoursaway from town, and I need an alternative.”
“Lucky Falls has a bed and breakfast, Mom.” I stayed there for a few days while I was apartment shopping.
“Yes, they do. It’s quite…rustic, and I have certain amenities that I prefer. Since you know the town, can you accompany Mills to look at houses? I trust you’ll understand my tastes.”
