Page 54 of Stand Your Ground

“Is it crazy that I feel more comfortable considering life as a single mom, doing it all on my own, than I do letting any man near my heart?”

Maven softened. “No. It’s not crazy. I know the feeling.”

And she did. Maven was there not too long ago when her ex broke her heart and nearly ruined her chance with Vince. Our experiences weren’t the same, but I knew she understood better than anyone else.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but there was a lot to figure out. I promise I planned to.”

“Now I can be a part of it all.”

I smiled, reaching for the mandrel and sliding a half-shaped ring up its tapered length, checking the fit. “It’s a long process. Expensive. Not to mention actually raising a kid afterward — childcare, school, the whole mountain.” My pliers clicked softly as I tightened the curve. “And you already know I’m drowning in student loans.”

“Yeah.” Maven snorted, a sharp sound that cut through the quiet. “No thanks to your parents.”

My hands stilled, brushing stray filings off the bench pad, the silence between us heavier than the little tools in my lap.

“Well, it doesn’t matter because I’ve come into some money and it’ll all be covered.”

Maven blinked. “Now you’vecome into money? Woman. Are you in a mob or something? What’s with all the secrets?”

I chuckled. “No secrets. I just wasn’t sure how it was all going to go and didn’t want to tell you before I knew the details. But yeah, I…” I paused, considering the lie. Carter and I had signed an NDA, so even if Iwantedto tell Maven, I couldn’t. “I inherited some cash from a long lost great-great-aunt on my father’s side.”

“Oh, I bet your parents were seething when they heard about that.”

I reached for my own wine glass, taking a sip. “I don’t even know if they know. It was all very secretive.” I waved her off. “The details don’t matter, only that now I have everything I need to get the ball rolling.”

Maven hummed, watching me. I knew without her saying that she wasn’t sold on my very unconvincing lie, but being the angel that she was, she didn’t push me on it.

At least, not tonight.

I had a feeling she wouldn’t let me get away with it for long.

“Speaking of your parents,” she said, watching as I worked the ring in my hand. “How’s it going with the whole wedding debacle?”

I sighed, polishing the band with a cloth, the circular motion slow and deliberate. “I haven’t figured out what I’m going to do yet.”

My phone lit up beside the gem tray, and it was like we’d summoned the devil. My stomach dropped at the name on the screen.

I froze, torch still in one hand, cloth in the other, eyes stuck on where my mom’s full legal name spread out over the glass.

Maven didn’t hesitate. She was off the couch in seconds, calling my name with concern. When she saw my phone screen, she cursed, set her wine on the table, and squeezed my knee.

“Answer it,” she said softly. “I’ll be right here with you.”

My body was already revolting at the possibility of me answering, both feverish and plagued with chills at the same time. But Maven’s reassuring eyes and her hand squeezing my arm gave me the strength I needed to get it over with.

I tapped the green phone button. “Hello, Mother.”

“I hear you’ve been invited to Lacey’s wedding.”

I sighed, and Maven squeezed where she held me.

“Yes, she did tell me about it.”

“She toldmeshe wants you to be a bridesmaid.”

“Well, I am her sister. Or have you forgotten that you have two daughters?”

“Don’t snip at me when it was you who turned your back on this family.”