Page 34 of Chasing I Do
Gage released a breath, the guilt so heavy he took a seat at the table. “I didn’t go to dinner last night because I was dropping off wedding stuff for Rhett at Belle Mont, but I should have called.”
By the time he’d arrived back at his loft, his mind was spinning. He didn’t need a family dinner, he needed time to process. To figure out what kind of role he’d play in Kylie’s life. In Darcy’s. And how it would affect his family.
Gage was a fixer, the glue that held it all together. He’d assigned himself that role when, instead of being there for Kyle, when he’d needed his twin most, Gage had been off licking his own wounds. Trying to wrap his head around that fact that even though the wedding was canceled, Darcy would always be off limits.
This time he intended to keep his focus, and find a way to bring everyone together. Only, a week into his plan and he’d nearly botched it all. He’d been one breath away from kissing Darcy. And kissing his hard won control goodbye.
“She’ll make a lovely bride. Don’t you think?”
“What?” Gage looked up.
“Stephanie.” Margo said exasperated. “Did you hear? Her dress is going to be made by Vera Wang, as a present. Well, of course you didn’t hear, you weren’t at dinner. But it’s going to be lovely. And the cake, my goodness, it will be the talk for years to come. Seven tiers, gold leafing, and the Cake Goddess is making it.”
“That I heard,” Gage said, thinking about the way Darcy had looked, standing beneath the old oak tree in her dress, all buttoned up but nervous as she’d invited him to taste her cakes. Then he remembered how her smile faded when he told her about family dinner.
“You can bet I’m going to be at that appointment.”
Gage froze. “Maybe you should let the love birds go to that one alone.”
“Why would I do that?” She took another casual sip.
Littleshit glanced at the door—looking for an escape. So did Gage, but he willed himself to remain calm. There was no way she knew about Darcy. His brothers had all agreed that they’d wait until Stephanie came back to tell her the news.
“Isn’t that what being engaged is about? Eating free cake and disgusting public displays of affection?” Even as he said it, he couldn’t remember a single time Stephanie and Rhett had engaged in any form of PDA, other than a quick peck.
Then again, they were in the spotlight all the time. Maybe that was their way of keeping some things private.
“Well, that’s a relief,” Margo said. “Here I thought you were trying to keep me away from Darcy Kincaid.”
Gage ran a hand down his face, his stubble rubbing as sharp as his mom’s tone. “Who told you?”
His mother pressed a nonexistent seam out of a t-shirt, then plucked at the sleeve. “Do you really have to ask? Last night was family dinner, and I love your brothers dearly, but they gossip more than my ladies bridge club.”
So much for brotherly bonds. “We were going to tell you when Stephanie got home. We didn’t want to upset you until we knew Belle Mont was completely locked down.”
“Well, if it was for my own good, then who am I to complain?” she said, not looking at him directly. “I guess I should be thanking you.” Clothes forgotten, she stood and walked to put her cup in the sink. “I’ll be going then.”
“Don’t go, Mom.” Gage took the cup from her hand and set it on the counter. “Let me make you some breakfast or at least share my scone while you tell me what you came here to say. Otherwise, you won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
Margo might be a busybody when it came to her family, but her concern originated from a good place. Usually. She was a warm and loving mom, big on hugs as encouragement when Gage had been younger. But after their dad died, her fear of loss made her distant, and the hugs turned into pats on the cheek. And when Kyle died, her interest in her sons’ happiness became a mission.
One she was willing to stop at nothing to secure. Even if it meant burning bridges or driving her sons crazy in the process. And when, one by one, her boys grew up and left the nest, she began to find more creative ways to insert herself in their lives.
Such as impromptu early morning coffee chats.
“It’s nothing,” she said flippantly.
“If it was nothing, you wouldn’t be in my kitchen at seven on my one day off.”
Silence.
“Mom?” Gage leaned against the counter, showing her he had all the time in the world.
“If you must know, it’s that woman! She’s been back in our lives for less than a few weeks. A few weeks!” Margo’s eyes were watery, but fierce. “Already the deceit and lies have begun.”
Margo didn’t do tears. It was an action she couldn’t seem to find the energy for after losing Kyle. But she did guilt like any good Catholic mother—lovingly and with pizazz.
“No one is trying to deceive you,” Gage said, pulling his mom into his arms and resting his cheek on her head. Margo might have the attitude of a rhino when riled, but she only came to Gage’s chest. “Darcy was as surprised to see me as I was her when I showed up for the first meeting.”
