Page 166 of Power Play

He wouldn’t have inspected the coffee table.

He probably would have added another mug to it.

The thought made my throat tighten.

My mother was saying something about reservations when I interrupted her.

“Mom, I forgot I have plans.”

Crystal stopped talking, and my heart seemed to stop with her.

I had interrupted my mother.

“Oh.” She glanced toward the clock. “Today?”

“Yes, today.”

“What plans?”

My brain immediately started building an acceptable answer. School sounded responsible. Aura or Bliss would sound social without being concerning. An appointment could end the conversation entirely.

Then I recognized myself doing it again.

I drew in a breath. “I need to see someone.”

My mother’s expression sharpened with interest. “Who?”

“Someone important to me.”

The words scared me, but I said them anyway.

Crystal studied my face for a moment before looking toward my robe. “Can it wait until after lunch? You aren’t dressed yet.”

“No, it can’t.”

The answer terrified me even more than interrupting her had.

She blinked. “No?”

“I’m sorry you drove over, but I really do need to go.”

A faint line appeared between her brows. “Charmagne, I thought we could spend the afternoon together.”

“I know you did.”

“And whatever this is came up suddenly?”

“No. I should’ve handled it three days ago.”

The truth sounded strange coming from me without preparation or apology.

My mother watched me long enough for the silence to press against every tender place inside me. “I see.”

Her tone cooled, and guilt immediately crowded beneath my ribs. Every old instinct started screaming that I should apologize, change my plans, offer lunch tomorrow, or do something to repair her disappointment before she decided it meant something bigger.

My mouth opened.

Then I thought about Ryan standing in his apartment and telling me he didn’t care whether my father approved of him. He only cared whether I did.