Now, Please(44)

Hunter glanced at my mom before looking around the room in disinterest. “I’m sure your family misses you, but these things have to be done.”

“You’re not drinking your wine,” my mom hastened to say, reaching for Hunter’s glass. “Can I get you something else?”

Hunter let her take the glass before turning more solidly into me. “I’m just waiting to escort Olivia home.”

“We’re ready.” I put my untried glass on the coffee table behind me. “Let’s go.”

“So soon?” My mother followed us from the room like an earnest puppy. “Stay, you two!”

“I’ll talk to you later, Mom.” I pulled open the front door and stepped outside, greeted by the soft California sun in late fall. The chill had me crossing my arms, but not making me wish I’d brought a jacket.

“Well, okay. I’ll call you soon!” My mom watched as Hunter led me to the street to a sleek gray sports car.

“Is that an Aston Martin?” I asked as we neared.

“Yes. I trust you didn’t drive?”

“No. Bus.” He opened the door for me and handed me inside. I sank down into the glorious leather as he slid into his side. The car roared to a start, high octane and full of power.

“Money isn’t everything, but it sure can provide you with a nice ride.” I marveled as he smoothly pulled away from the curb.

Hunter made his way through the tangle of streets. I thought back to my mom’s quick change in demeanor. “She’s never been that earnest with me. It was…weird.”

“You two don’t have a great relationship.”

I snorted. “That’s putting it mildly. I was a mistake that held her back. She thinks she would’ve landed a great catch had it not been for me.”

“Yet she chose to let you live with her instead of your dad.”

“There is that. She had a nicer house than my dad. Larger and better for a kid. That was part of the problem—she had to look after me. She couldn’t just leave at a moment’s notice. Her single life, and single body, was ripped away. But…you’re right. She did sacrifice. She made the effort to be a mom. And maybe that’s why I still keep in contact. And why I’ll still help her if ever I can. She’s not the best, but she’s my mom. You can’t turn your back on family.”

It dawned on me who I was talking to. “I mean…you know, family that isn’t trying to ruin me. Unlike your dad. I fully support turning your back on your dad. He’s…” I picked at my nail. I couldn’t get my foot further in my mouth if I tried. “I think I’ll stop talking now…”

Hunter reached across the space. His fingers threaded through mine. “I like that you keep in contact with your mother. I think you two would find things easier if she had more security. It seems to me that she’s in survival mode. You don’t see clearly when you’re worried for your future.”

“Did you know my mom’s new boyfriend?” I asked as he was making his way to the freeway. “Sean, I guess.”

“Heard of him. He’s a few years away from getting fired, or from landing in jail. His dealings are less than reputable.”

“Yeah. I figured. My mom’s getting desperate, I think. She’s still stupidly pretty, but she’s getting up there. Plastic surgery can only go so far.” I looked out the window. “I wish I got some of her looks.”

“You have her facial structure, but you have a natural beauty, whereas she is more manufactured.”

I glanced at Hunter as the car lurched forward. The engine whined and picked up speed as we merged onto the freeway. From slow and steady to zooming past all the other cars in the space of a few seconds, we blasted into the fast lane before he let off the gas.

“She’s had a lot of work done. She used to be a natural beauty,” I said as I unpeeled my fingers from around the handle in the door.

“No. There are two types of beauty. One is the type that lends to hair dyes and plastic surgery. Those women can dress themselves up into what I call manufactured beauty, but they were really just pretty before that. Then there is your beauty. It’s unique. It can’t be bought. You assume that because society says you should have blond hair and huge eyelashes, and you don’t, that you aren’t gorgeous. When really, you’re unspoiled, untarnished gold. You don’t need makeup or hair dye. You look your absolute best with a big T-shirt and a sleepy smile.”

I blinked back tears as I watched his face, utterly serious. “You might not say please, but you do say the sweetest things.”