Page 25 of Make Me Yours

That mental image has a laugh slipping out before I can stop it.

“We both know she’d file a formal complaint with the building association.”

Steele reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze. His thumb runs a slow circle over the back of it that’s both steady and grounding. “I’m right here, lucky charm.”

Even though the gesture is a simple one, it means everything.

This man is always there for me. Any time things fall apart, he’s the one standing by my side, holding the pieces with me. No matter how many times I tell myself it’s just who he is, it still makes my heart trip.

After steadying myself, I swipe to answer. “Hi, Mom. How are you?”

“Oh, Lilah,” she sighs. “Honestly? It’s been an absolute nightmare of a week. The dry cleaner ruined my favorite silk blouse, the neighbors are back at it with their construction, and your father’s golf swing—don’t even get me started. All those lessons with the country club pro, and he still can’t break ninety. Sometimes I have to wonder what we’re even doing with our lives.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

“And we haven’t heard from you in weeks. Are you alive, darling? Or did you finally run off to join that cult in Oregon I warned you about?”

Across from me, Steele lifts a brow, clearly amused. I shoot him a glare and silently mouth, “Stop it.”

“I’m alive,” I say, keeping my voice even. “Just dealing with a few things.”

“Oh? What kind of things?”

That’s all it takes for my stomach to knot. Steele slides hishand into mine and gives it a gentle squeeze.

Here goes nothing.

“Devon and I broke up.”

There’s a pause followed by a sharp inhale. “What do you mean you broke up?”

“I mean exactly that. We ended things.”

“Lilah Jane,” she bites out, her displeasure slicing through the phone. “Fix it.”

My jaw drops. No matter what kind of response I was expecting, that wasn’t it.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me, young lady. Call him and apologize. Profusely, if necessary. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s nothing that can’t be resolved. Do I need to remind you that Devon Peterson comes from a very respectable family?”

I blink, stunned by her reaction. “Mom, hecheatedon me.”

There’s a brief silence and then a huff. “Well, men make mistakes. That doesn’t mean you throw away an entire relationship over a minor indiscretion.”

I glance at Steele and shake my head, unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth. His jaw is clenched, eyes burning like he’s one second away from grabbing the phone and telling Caroline Monroe exactly where she can go.

“Mom,” I say carefully, each word deliberate. “He’s having a baby with another woman. One of the associates at the firm.”

The silence that follows is deafening. It stretches long enough for my heart to start racing and my palms to turn slick. Steele’s hand settles on my back, warm and reassuring. It’s his silent way of telling me I’m not alone as well as nudging me to rip off the Band-Aid and get the rest out.

“And… I’m no longer working there.”

My mother exhales sharply. “Oh my God, you were fired?”

“What? No.” I blink. “Not exactly fired.”

“You just said you’re not working there anymore.”