Final Call (Call #2)(18)
Author: Emma Hart

I’ve never needed love, not from a man. I’ve never needed to feel loved for my life to have any sort of meaning. I looked at those women and believed they were weak because they needed someone to lean on, but perhaps I was wrong.

There’s nothing weak about love, and needing to hear Aaron tell me that he loves me doesn’t make me weak either.

Chapter Eight

“Dayton!” Aaron’s mom stands and opens her arms to me when we enter the restaurant. I step into her warm embrace, then his father’s, and take a seat opposite them at the table.

We’re seated in the back of Glassini, an upscale restaurant that neighbors the Southfall hotel. The curved shape of our booth means we’re practically invisible to prying eyes, and the lighting is just bright enough to make out the shade of red velvet on the chairs but low enough to be cozy and romantic.

“It’s wonderful to see you again.” Carly smiles across the table. “I’m glad for the chance.” She flicks her eyes to Aaron.

He tenses next to me. “Mom.”

She smiles and raises a wine glass to her lips. His dad steps in, offering us both a glass of wine, and pours them.

There’s a heavy awkwardness between Aaron and his mom. It’s palpable, and I know he said that she didn’t like Naomi, but I can feel it. Her name hasn’t even been mentioned and I can feel the hatred for his ex-wife glittering in her eyes. And I can see the anger that she came between us—and that Aaron let it happen.

We order our food, and as we wait, Aaron engages in a conversation about the company with his dad. Turns out, Brandon isn’t as comfortable being retired as he thought he would be, and as I listen in, the conversation is more a comforting session for the older man.

Carly rolls her eyes in a move that makes me smother a laugh. “Men,” she sighs. “I can’t take those two anywhere without them discussing work. Someone needs to inform them that the world doesn’t revolve around it.”

“Have you tried?”

“Several times. They’re too stubborn to listen to me. I’d hoped Aaron would skip his father’s need-to-be-in-control gene, but it took to him and it stuck.”

I nod my head. If only she really knew. “You don’t need to tell me that. He honestly drives me crazy with it sometimes.”

“Darling, Aaron delights in driving women crazy. Mostly myself.”

Our food is placed in front of us, and we eat in near silence. The only words exchanged are from Aaron and Brandon, who are still discussing work.

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, you two,” Carly snaps. “You’re at a family dinner, not a work one. Dayton and I do not want to hear about it. I for one hear enough about it at home.”

I bite my bottom lip to hide my smile.

“Of course, honey,” Brandon soothes her, patting her hand. “What would you rather we discuss? Clothes? Shoes? The latest installment of The Bachelor, perhaps?”

“My guilty pleasure.” Carly winks at me.

“I’ve never seen it,” I admit. “I don’t watch much television.”

“Oh my. We’ll have to rectify that. I can’t say I’m much for the women on the show—they’re all rather catty—but the bachelor is always worth it.”

“That was a rhetorical question, Mom.” There’s a hint of a groan to Aaron’s voice.

“Really?” I ignore him. “Maybe I’ll have to start watching.”

“Dayton.”

“You really should. It’s rather addictive though. Goodness knows Brandon has come home to me shouting at the television more than once. Those girls are vile sometimes. It’s hard to believe they’re real at all, but I’ve had the displeasure of meeting one or two over the last thirty years of my life.”

“Mom!”

Carly turns to her son. “Yes?”

“Are we done with the trashy TV talk?” Aaron grinds out. “You’re making it a little personal now.”

His mom delicately chews a piece of pasta, her eyes on him, and the tension rockets up. She doesn’t say a word. She merely pins him in place with her stare until he backs down and looks away.

I look between them. Ha! He might be CEO of the family company, but his mom can still give him a look that makes his tail go between his legs.

Oddly, I love it. He obviously respects her enough not to challenge her too much. And that warms something inside me.

The rest of our meal is finished in silence. Brandon looks at Aaron when the plates are cleared by our server.

“Let’s go and get a drink at the bar, son. Perhaps then we can discuss business in peace.” Brandon throws Carly an affectionate smile. “And replace the empty bottle of wine on the table.”

They leave us alone for two minutes. Aaron brings an opened bottle of Pinot over and places it between us, his hand on my upper back. He pauses before leaving and drops his lips to my forehead. I close my eyes at the brief touch, aware of his mom watching us but not really caring as his gentle kiss warms my skin.

I pour our glasses without a word and bring mine to my lips. I’m not prepared to be left alone with his mom. If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have come. Not because I don’t like her—I do, very much—but because I’m not sure if I’m ready for the conversation we’re about to have.

“She was a bitch. If you’ll excuse my language.” Carly smiles slightly.

“Naomi?”

She nods. “She was one of those people I took an instant dislike to. You know when you meet someone and something about them rubs you the wrong way? This was akin to a cat rubbing against a scratching post vehemently.”

“Funnily enough, I felt the same way when I met her,” I reply dryly.

“I imagine you would. She’s a very unlikable person.” She runs her finger around the top of her glass. “I couldn’t imagine why Aaron was entering into a relationship with her. The last person he saw seriously was you. The two of you are so incredibly different, and it surprised me. Naomi was and is everything I’d never wished for him. She was vindictive and selfish and very one-minded. She took so much but never gave anything. All she ever truly was was something pretty on his arm for dinners and functions.”

“Why did he marry her?”

“Who knows, honey? Guilt? I know that Brandon’s assistant at the time convinced him it was for the best. He would be stronger for taking over the company later if he was married and had a good woman beside him. Not to say I don’t agree with that statement, but a good woman isn’t enough. He needed the right woman, and unfortunately Naomi was neither.”