Page 172 of Scandalous Contract

STEFANIE

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IWAS UP BEFORE RONNIEthe next morning, moving around the kitchen like a woman possessed. Bacon, eggs, biscuits. I even pulled out the grits and stirred in heavy cream, just the way India liked them.

If food could fix what was broken between us, then I was about to serve the solution on a platter. Every time I glanced at the front door, my chest clenched. I checked my phone. Still no reply. When Ronnie finally padded into the kitchen, shirtless and half-asleep, I was already plating the bacon.

“Damn,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes. “Are you trying to winTop Chef: Mama Redemption Editionor something?”

I didn’t smile. “She still hasn’t texted me back.”

He grabbed his phone off the counter and opened it. “Hold up... Okay, she texted me.”

I turned toward him so fast my spatula nearly hit the wall. “What’d she say?”

Ronnie frowned, mouth tightening before he read it aloud. “‘I don’t need a mediator. I need a mother who doesn’t screw my roommate’s brother.’”

The words hit like a punch to the gut. I didn’t even realize I was backing up until my hip bumped the fridge. I looked away fast, blinking hard as tears spilled down my cheeks.

“Did she really say that?” I asked, my voice raw.

“Yeah. She did.”

I turned back toward the stove, hands shaking as I reached for the grits, trying to distract myself with food I knew no one was going to eat. How could we eat right now? I felt sick to the stomach.

Ronnie came over and gently took the spoon from my hand. “Stef.”

“I know,” I whispered. “She needs time.”

“She’s hurt. She’s lashing out. You can’t take the words she says in anger to heart. You know that.”

“But what if she’s right?” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “What if this... what I feel for Julian... is wrong?”

Ronnie’s brows lifted. “Wrong? Stef, come on. That man worships the ground you walk on.”

I stared down at the counter, my voice brittle. “He’s younger. People will talk. They’ll judge. And it’s me they’ll judge. And ifmydaughter thinks what I’m doing is disgusting, then what does that say about me?”

“It says your daughter’s eighteen and has no clue how rare the kind of love you’ve found is.”

“But what if it makes her ashamed of me?” My throat closed around the words. “What if I’m choosing someone who’ll end up costing me my relationship with her? I can’t do that.”

Ronnie stepped closer, resting a hand on my shoulder. “If it’s real, if Julian’s love is real, and yours is too, then you’re not choosing himoverher. You’re choosing yourself,her, and him, Stef. You can have it all. You can. Don’t sacrifice anything. You’ve spent so long putting yourself last.”

I looked down, tears burning, heart heavy.

“I just want her to be proud of me,” I whispered.

“Shewillbe. Eventually.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Right now, she’s angry. Let her feel what she feels. But don’t let it define what you’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to be happy. You deserve to be loved.”

I nodded, but the ache didn’t go away.

“I may have to stay a little longer,” I told Ronnie.

“Girl, move in for all I care. I love having you here. Text your man and let him know you’ll be here longer. And don’t let this get you down. It’s going to be okay.”

I nodded, but I had a strange feeling that it wouldn’t be okay. When has my life ever allowed me to have everything I wanted at one time?Never. I texted Julian and let him know that Ronnie asked me to stay a few more days.

I knew if I told him the truth, that my daughter thought I was disgusting for loving him, he’d want to come here and help me convince her that he was serious about me. India wouldn’t want that. That would just embarrass her more.