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I sigh. “Mom, I’m not sending you money for a bag.”
We’ve had this discussion hundreds of times. I never send her money outright and refuse to pay for anything that isn’t a necessity.
I cover her mortgage and utilities and have food delivered when she’s home in Aspen Grove. It’s important that she has a safe place to return to whenever her latest conquest doesn’t work out. She’s never worked a day in her life, and I’m not naive enough to think that’ll ever change, even if I cut her off. She’ll keep seeking new men to exploit as long as she can.
“How about for Christmas? Maybe by then, Mark and I will be married too, and he’ll buy it for me,” she exclaims.
“Yeah, maybe,” I say, sounding skeptical.
Despite her shortcomings, she’s still my mom. I respect Theo’s decision not to have contact with her, but I can’t do it. Unlike my father, she’s never belittled me or made me feel less than the gum on her shoe. Yes, she’s immature, materialistic, and self-centered, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about me in her own way.
Our contact will remain limited, with infrequent phone calls, but I’ll make sure that when she has her next messy breakup, her house will be waiting for her.
When I look up, Cash is walking into the kitchen and heading to remove a casserole from the oven.
“Mom, I have to go,” I tell her. “I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Oh, okay, darling. I’ll call you soon. Bye.”
“Bye,” I say, hanging up the phone.
Cash leaves the dish on the stovetop to cool and comes to take a seat next to me.
“How much of that conversation did you hear?”
He takes my hand. “Enough to better understand why you no longer believe in soulmates and steered clear of relationships after what happened with Landon.”
“You have a bad habit of eavesdropping on people’s conversations, don’t you?” I needle him.
“Maybe I wouldn’t be tempted if you didn’t use speakerphone,” he quips.
“Did you catch the part where my mom implied I should rob you blind before you decide to leave me?”
“I’m not leaving you, Ev. Besides, you don’t have to steal anything—it belongs to you.”
I scrunch up my nose in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“What’s mine is yours,” he states.
I gape at him in disbelief when he takes out his wallet and places a black card—with my name etched on the bottom—in front of me.
“When did you have this made?” I ask, tracing the golden lettering with my finger.
“The day we got back to London. I held on to it until I thought you might accept it.”
“I don’t need your money.” I slide the card back to him.
“Maybe not, but it would mean a lot if you kept it, just in case.” He pushes it back. “There’s something I have to say to you. I don’t know how you’ll take it, but it’s important that I get it off my chest.”
“I’m listening,” I encourage him.
“When all is said and done, and the acquisition has been finalized, I don’t want this to end in divorce,” he states firmly. “What we share is real… at least it is to me.” He reaches over to caress my cheek. “Whether that means we legally end our marriage and explore dating each other until you’re ready formore, or we renew our vows surrounded by our loved ones, it doesn’t matter. In the end, I want you as my wife forever.”
My head spins at his declaration. I’m still reeling from the conversation with my mom, and adding Cash’s declaration to the mix… It’s a lot to process. I never expected those words to come out of his mouth. Before me, he had never committed past a one-night stand. Now, he wants to spend his life with me? My breaths come out short and ragged, my chest tightening with each inhale.
“Cash, this isn’t… I’m not sure…” I trail off, struggling to find the right thing to say.
Aside from Theo, he’s become the most important person in my life. Our bond grows stronger with each passing day, and when we’re not together, his absence leaves a void only he can fill.