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I knew I’d mentioned it to her once or twice, especially when I had asked her opinion on dress color. It wasn’t usually like her to forget such things, but I knew the most recent round of chemotherapy had her pretty sick. It was another reason I’d not wanted to leave this last time until she’d insisted that I go.
“Of course, darling. I remember now. Are you going with that nice boy you brought out here to California?”
She meant Travis, so I exhaled softly. “No, Mama. We’re just friends and I didn’t bring him to Cali. He’s from there, and was in the neighborhood.”
“It’s a shame because he’s such a nice boy. I’m sure whoever you’re going with is going to love seeing you in that dress. I loved seeing you in it. I’m so glad you sent me those pictures. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.”
“I only want you to be happy, Nicole. Whether it is Travis or someone else, just don’t get mixed up with one of those Titans. We trust you and your judgment.”
I almost scoffed at that considering my father had called Callum. I couldn’t let on that I knew, so I focused on her other words. At the mention of the Titans, I closed my eyes to ward off tears. If only she knew, she’d be so disappointed in me. I’m sure they’d love Callum once they’d gotten to know him as I did, but the odds of that day ever coming were getting smaller by the minute. And this was the exact time when I needed my mother and her wisdom the most. I needed her to lie to me by saying that even though things looked bleak, my future with Callum was bright. She couldn’t because I had to keep everything about him to myself. She’d always been my confidant, but even this was something I couldn’t ever tell her. Although I couldn’t upset her when she was so sick, a part of me was selfishly mourning the loss of that part of my mother while she was still here.
“Who’s your date?”
“Huh?” I asked, my mother’s question snapping me out of my feelings.
“Your date, Nicole. To look so beautiful, you need to have a man on your arm.”
“Oh, I’m actually going solo this time. I’ve been so busy with school that I haven’t really had much time to meet a lot of people yet. I—”
“I want you to take time away from your studies and enjoy Chicago. You’re young and should be hitting the nightlife, not cooped up inside with your head in a book. I worry about you being there all alone, and now that you’re telling me you haven’t even made any friends—”
“I have made friends, Mama. In fact, Travis is supposed to be there. I’m sure I will spend a lot of time with him.”
“Oh, I really like that boy. He comes from a good family. He also obviously cares a lot about you. A mother can see those things, and he’s looking at you as more than just a friend.”
And, I was honestly afraid of that. Callum and my father both claimed to see the same thing, but I’d written Callum’s concerns off as mere jealousy, and my father’s off as pure nosiness.
“He’s a wonderful friend, and I like him a lot,” I reassured her, then looked down at my cell phone. “I actually need to head out, but I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you all about my night. I love you, Mama.”
“I love you too,” she told me, then I disconnected the call.
It was mid November in Chicago, so the air had already started to grow cold. Unless I wanted to leave the party with pneumonia, I would need a jacket. I grabbed a long, front-buttoned blazer and put it on. The black coat didn’t clash with the red, and the two pieces paired so well together that many would likely think it was part of the same outfit. I picked up my small wallet and cellphone, then headed downstairs.
There were taxicabs in the area so it didn’t take long to catch one, and then I mentally tried to prepare myself for this event. The Halloween party had been a much different beast because I’d altered my hair color and worn a mask the entire time. While I was me, I wasn’t and that freedom had eased my roiling nerves so much. Dancing in Callum’s arms had also been great, but that couldn’t happen tonight.
A half hour later, I arrived at the venue. The ‘Who’s Who’ of Chicago’s high society was on full display. A number of Titans and other well-known men were out front, but I didn’t see Callum. I smiled as I walked past many of them, then hurried inside. The air outside was cold, and I didn’t need to get sick. I hoped to head back home for Thanksgiving and if I was even the slightest bit ill, it would certainly make my mother sick. Any illness could possibly kill her with her immunity down to nearly nothing between the cancer and chemo she’d been undergoing. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt her in any way.
“Miss Courtland.” I turned at the sound of his voice and ignored the butterflies fluttering in my chest.
“Professor Meyers,” I murmured.
Callum leaned in and when I felt something slide into my jacket pocket, I realized what it was. I stayed calm and smiled when he stepped back. “You look lovely this eve—”
“Is this your gorgeous date?” Lucy Davis asked as she walked up to us.
I froze, unsure of what to say. Callum harbored no such hesitation. “Date, no. This is one of the students in my Senior Lit class.”
A pang sharply pierced my chest at the callous way he described me. I knew it was what he needed to say, but hearing him actually dismiss me as nothing more than someone he taught had me feeling ill. I kept the earlier smile on my face and added, “It was nice seeing both of you, but I think I’ve spotted my date. If you’ll excuse me.”
I hurried away despite the low growl I heard emanating from Callum. I was actually surprised my legs would even move, and I made sure to put as much distance between me and him as I could. Once fully surrounded in the ballroom, I stopped to find a corner to disappear off to. When one was finally located, I closed my eyes and only opened them when I felt the vibration of my phone against my thigh.
I retrieved it from my jacket pocket and I felt the small square card Callum had slipped into it out front. It was a hotel key card and the very thing that would bring us together tonight. I ignored it, as well as the goosebumps rising on my arms, and glanced down at my messages.
You’re so fucking beautiful. You have me so hard right now. I can’t wait until later when I can tear that dress off of you, then fuck you six ways to Sunday.
I blushed, then looked around to see if anyone was watching. I didn’t see anyone, so I began to type a response.
