Page 68 of Auctioned To Be Mine

The menus arrived and we spent a few minutes looking through them. The food was exactly what I expected. I ordered the grilled fish. Mimi ordered a salad. I wondered if I should order something for Callum. No, that would be too much.

“I want to talk about the foundation,” Tiana said. “Mimi’s been telling me about what you’re planning for the launch and her pet project back in New York.”

“Tiana has been looking for something similar,” Mimi said. “She just hasn’t found the right fit yet.”

“I’ve written checks,” Tiana said. “I’ve attended galas. I’ve had my name on plaques in lobbies.” She picked up her water glass. “And it’s all fine. It all does some good somewhere. But it’s not the same as being actually involved. My life has been very fortunate. I don’t say that lightly and I don’t take it for granted. But when you’re sitting in a beautiful house and your children are healthy and your husband is good and the work is going well, it starts to feel like you’re in a bubble.” She smiled at me. “You know what I mean.”

“I do,” I said.

“I want to do something real,” she said. “Mimi thinks expanding her charity to the west coast might be the right fit.”

I looked at Mimi, who was beaming. An LA arm of Mimi’s food insecurity program would help a lot of people. “I think that’s a great idea.”

The conversation was easier than I expected. They were nice women. The mothers I never had. I was enjoying my time with them, but I couldn’t stop wondering where Callum was. I snuck a look at my phone under the table. Still nothing from Callum. The food arrived. I cut into my fish and told myself he was fine, just delayed. I was a grown woman. I could handle a lunch without my emotional support boyfriend.

I checked it again two minutes later.

“He must not have been able to get away,” Tiana said, and I looked up to find her watching me with a small smile. “We all keep telling him to ask for help. Drew has stepped up to help, but I’m afraid Callum has taken on too many responsibilities. But my boys are stubborn.

“I’m not worried,” I said.

“Of course not,” she agreed.

We talked about the logistics of an LA expansion. I ate and listened to the two women talk. I loved their relationship with each other. You’d think they were actual sisters. I wanted that. I thought of Cleo and couldn’t help but let myself jump into a fantasy future. Me and her just like this talking to one of our sons’ future wife. Old and wise but still kicking ass.

My phone buzzed in my lap. I glanced down.

Still working. I’m so sorry. This is turning into a thing. Tell me you’re okay.

I excused myself quietly, stepping away from the table and moving to a more private area and called him.

“Hey,” he answered. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “What happened?”

“The shelving guys were supposed to be here at nine. They showed up late, brought the wrong ones, and it’s just been a fucking mess.”

“Are you good?”

“I’m fine. It’s going to be okay. I just can’t leave right now.”

“Go handle it. We’ll talk later.”

“How’s my mother?”

“She’s wonderful,” I said. “You have nothing to worry about.”

A beat of silence. “She hasn’t interrogated you?”

“Not yet.”

“Give it ten minutes.”

I laughed. “Go fix your shelves, Callum.”

“Thank you for being cool about this.”

“I’m extremely cool,” I said. “Everyone says so.”