Page 45 of The Love Hoax

This woman has to be Adam’s?—

“Mom.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Evie

To my great relief, Adam quickly materialized by my side, though his frozen smile and strained voice do little to mask his shock. I, myself, am speechless, my mind awhirl. The moment of truth has come a lot sooner than expected.

Adam places a supportive hand on my waist. Or maybe it’s just for show.

Let the games begin.

The woman has been fixated on me since I opened the door. Now, a smile spreads across her face. She opens her arms wide, startling me when she brings me in for a tight squeeze before stepping back to study me once more.

“Anna Demetrius,” she says, as if introducing herself is an afterthought. I note a slight accent in her voice.

Adam speaks up. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

Anna pats her son’s face. “You don’t need to look so panicked, kardia mou. I was in the area?—”

Adam gives his mother a look of incredulity, ignoring what I gather is a term of endearment. “Really? That’s what you’re opening with?”

Anna squeezes past and makes a beeline to the kitchen. Apparently, she knows her way around her son’s house. She opens the wine fridge, takes out a bottle, and in fifteen seconds has it open.

“Okay, fine. You know how they say trust but verify? This is me verifying.” She grins at Adam who appears to be restraining himself.

Anna pours herself a copious amount of Cabernet. “I’m so happy to meet you, Ronna. I had hoped it would be sooner, well before Steph and Brad’s wedding, but I understand you have a very demanding job.”

I am still recovering from the woman’s tornado-like entrance but couldn’t have asked for a better segue. “Actually, I was just leaving.”

Anna frowns. “Oh?”

“There was an emergency at work. I’m terribly sorry but it appears I’ll be missing the wedding.” I begin to step away, Adam’s hand falling from my waist.

“Wait,” Anna says.

I turn back.

“I know an excuse when I hear one.”

“Sorry?”

Anna sets her glass down on the countertop and takes my hand, one of her large silver rings digging into my palm. “I also know I can come off a bit strong sometimes.” Her gaze flits to Adam and back again to me. “Please don’t leave. I’m sure whatever came up at work can be managed after the wedding.”

I glance at Adam. He’s nodding! Clearly, he isn’t going to be of any help whatsoever.

Everything is happening so fast. Meeting Anna, being called Ronna, Adam’s look of desperation . . . my vanishing career.

“I’m really sorry,” I repeat. “But this is a time-sensitive emergency.”

Anna’s face falls. Before she can speak further, Adam says, “Mom, can Ronna and I speak privately for a moment?”

I glance at the time lit up on the oven door. If I don’t get back to New York immediately to fight for my job, I can kiss my career goodbye. “I need to pack.”

“Please, Ronna. I deserve that much, don’t I? You know, for nearly shoving me off the mountain.”

Anna’s eyes widen. Noting her shock, I say, “He means that figuratively, of course. Don’t you . . . darling?”