Page 59 of The Phyre that Burns

“I guess I should go.” She stood and adjusted her purse on her shoulder. “Are you still coming to the gala on Saturday?”

Phyre and I followed her lead, standing and following her to the front door.

“No. I only paid for one ticket?—”

“It’s not a problem, Son. I have a few tickets left if you want to bring a date.”

“If I decide to come, Ginae will be my date.”

“Fine. I’ll be sure to keep a ticket for your friend.”

Phyre’s body tensed when she referred to me as his friend, but he let it slide. I imagined he had to do that often when dealing with his mother.

“Thank you,” I responded, wearing a fake smile.

She didn’t acknowledge my response. “Also, your father is throwing a soiree for my birthday. I’m giving you a heads up, so you’ll have two months to get your head right. I’ll send you thedetails because he probably won’t, and yes, I expect you to be there.”

“As long as your husband knows not to speak to me, I’ll be there with bells on.”

“It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Jordan.”

She paused and turned, giving me a look I couldn’t decipher.

“It’s been interesting,” she said before continuing to the front door.

I shook my head as I thought about what life would be like with her as my mother-in-law.

Lord, help me.

After the surprisevisit from my mother, the rest of the week flew by. Between Tuesday and Saturday morning, six of our mothers went into labor. I traveled back and forth between the office and the hospital more times than I could count, but all the mothers and babies were doing well.

By Saturday afternoon, I was strongly considering skipping the gala, until my mother called me to confirm my attendance. The woman drove me crazy, but I was already estranged from my father, so I did my best to remain on good terms with my mother. Our relationship was nothing like it was in my early twenties, but it was something.

After delivering two babies during the wee hours of the morning, I arrived home at eight o’clock and passed out. It wasnow creeping up on four o’clock in the afternoon, and I felt like I could’ve slept several more hours. Instead, I got up and took care of my basic hygiene before searching for Ginae. I found her in the bathroom of one of the extra bedrooms, doing her hair and makeup.

“I guess this means we’re going to the gala,” I said, standing behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her shoulder.

She stopped what she was doing and looked at me through the mirror.

“You don’t want to go?”

I kissed her shoulder again before responding.

“You heard what I told my mother. If I never go to another gala, I’m good.”

“Then why did you agree to go?”

“Shit. At the time, I wanted to get her out of my house.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before I bought that expensive ass dress?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t know you’d gotten a dress until after you bought it. Besides, it’s been a busy week, and all I’ve thought about is delivering babies.”

Instead of responding, she went back to applying her makeup.

“You got something you want to say?” I asked.

“No.”