Page 57 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
“No. Why? You want it?”
She shakes her head. “You shouldn’t skip lunch.”
“Yes, Mommy,” I say, then return to my desk.
I have a few emails to reply to. I take care of them, then brood. Everything I learned during lunch leaves me even more unsettled and confused. I don’t understand why Margot offered to pay for the wedding or help me plan it. If she considered me a substitute daughter back then…and if she still hates Tony, which she does…she should be doing everything in her power to undermine us.
Is this some kind of Trojan horse? Look innocent and helpful, but aim to poison me against Tony somehow? If so, she won’t be welcome anymore.
Actually, she isn’t welcome until she acknowledges she’s wrong to have held on to her grief and fury for so long. Her very presence pokes at Tony’s wound. She amplifies his pain, reminding him relentlessly through her icy treatment that there’s something unimaginably dark and wrong with him. And he’s internalized that enough to believe that he doesn’t deserve good things in life, even though he’s worked so hard. No more. I’m not letting her torture him like that. I’m going to help him see that he is perfect the way he is, and his mother’s opinion doesn’t count. At all.
I text Wei. Is there anything in particular Tony really likes?
He responds, You mean food?
No. I want to send him something. But he’s never told me what he really likes. I’ve had gifts delivered to his office before, but back then I chose what I thought looked good. This time, I want to make sure it’s something he’ll love.
Because he likes anything that comes from you.
I scowl. That’s hardly a response. Does Wei not want to tell me? He must have personal preferences.
He really doesn’t. He didn’t even look at the penthouse before he bought it. I picked it out.
Oh my God. That’s crazy! The place has to be worth millions!
Do you also pick out gifts from Tony?I ask, holding my breath.
Generally, except for ones for you. Those he selects himself.
Relief makes my shoulders sag. I would’ve hated it if the flowers and chocolates I treasure came from Wei.
Got it. Thanks.
A moment later, he responds, He does like tiger lilies. I believe you have something to do with that.
Pleasure warms my face. I put the phone down and order a huge basket of tiger lilies, and add half a dozen cupcakes with buttercream with gorgeous decorations on top. I pick the grand piano, flowers, heart, moon and stars, sun and the word LOVE on each of them.
I add a message: Because you deserve a lot of happiness in life.
Satisfied, I return to work. Around three, when I’m starting to feel hungry, I have a piece of my quesadilla at my desk. The music project is coming together nicely. As I wipe my fingers on a napkin, I get a call. Tony.
“I had more cupcakes than I had in the last twelve months, and my office smells like you,” he says.
“Me?” I blink. “I’ve never been there.”
“You smell like tiger lilies.”
I grin, absurdly pleased he thinks so. “You’re high on sugar.”
“Could be.” His voice is warm and rich over the phone. I adore it. “Thank you, Ivy. They were all very delicious.”
All?“You’re welcome, but…Tony, I sent six.”
“I know. Mine. All mine.”
I cover my mouth to muffle a happy laugh. “Are you on speaker?”
“No. Why?”
