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“Of course, Leah will be there,” I say.
If I’ve got to go, there’s no way in hell I’m going to expose myself to the society mothers and their daughters, who flock to our country estate every year without Leah by my side, especially if the world thinks we are a couple.
Leah shoots me a look that tells me we will discuss this later, but steps back to allow the doors of the elevator to close.
“Oh, Gabriel, she’s lovely,” Mum says as soon as the doors shut, and we begin our descent. “I should have seen it. I’m surprised I didn’t. No wonder you’ve not been interested in any of the women I’ve introduced to you. Not when you were waiting for Leah.”
Her face brightens, and I feel a flash of guilt. This is what she wants for me. Tonight has made her happy. My mind wanders to Leah and what I will face when I return upstairs. It’s her fault. She’s done an amazing job of making my mother fall in love with her. Now she’ll have to deal with the fallout.
“She is,” I reply, unsure what else to say.
“I remember meeting her briefly years ago. I can’t believe she still works for you?” Mum fishes.
“She does. She’s my communications officer. My right-hand woman.”
Facts... only facts, a safe subject.
“It makes sense,” she says.
“What makes sense?” I ask, confused.
“Leah working for you. She’s perfect. I know you overthink things, but, really, Gabriel. Eight years?”
My heckles rise at her words. “Excuse me, Leah was engaged until recently. She wasn’t available.”
“Oh.” Her face drops. “This isn’t a rebound thing, is it?” Her concern for me is evident. Maybe my mother hasn’t taken Leah’s side over mine. Yet.
“No, Mother, we’ve very much entered this relationship with our eyes wide open.”
Not lying.
“I trust you. More than any of your siblings. You’re the sensible one.”
Her words leave me speechless.
“Pardon?” I say.
I listen to her chuckle. “You’re my thinker. You weigh up every option and nuance. I trust in you, Gabriel. You need to trust in yourself. Don’t overthink it.” She pauses. “I like Leah. She’s open and honest. It’s obvious she gets you.” Mum pats my cheeks. “And she’s normal, not like some of those other social climbers.”
I wonder if she means Rachel. She never really liked her.
Her eyes twinkle when I look down at her, surprised.
“Let it follow its own path.”
The doors open, and Mum’s driver is waiting in the basement. He holds open the car door. She turns to me and pulls me down for a hug and to rain kisses on my cheek.
“I love you, Gabriel. Now get back upstairs to Leah.”
I smile, certain that I have a cheek covered in fuchsia pink lipstick.
When she’s seated in the car, I step back into the elevator and make my way back to the apartment.
I find Leah waiting near the kitchen unit.
She turns to me in a flash. “I tried to set her straight, but she appeared to have made up her own mind the instant she saw me,” she says, her voice panicked.
“I believe you,” I say, grabbing another glass of wine. “I did warn you. This situation, you being here. My mum is a romantic, and you are everything she wants for me. She just told me as much.”
