Deep in Desire - Page 22

“I think you do. I mean, Cam knew. I bumpedinto her at the gym this morning. It’s a great place, by the way. Thanks for the membership, Mom. Anyway, this Cam chick knew all about me and Deborah. How come?”

“I know, sweetheart. I was crying on the yacht last night. I was in shock. You have to understand, baby. People overheard me, and you know how these things spread like wildfire. But Nora… She’s been under a lot of stress, and it all came out tonight. She said some awful things, and I-I couldn’t take it.”

Holly could hear the tears in her mother’s voice, and it broke her heart. “Mom, I’m so sorry. This is all so unfair to you. None of this is your fault. Maybe I’ve been selfish. It must have come as a shock to you last night. I’m sorry if I was rude. I can be impulsive sometimes. And rude.”

Esme sniffled. “I just don’t know what to do, Holly. I love you, and I want you to be happy. But Nora… she’s my wife, and I must also consider her feelings. She was furious.”

“At the same time, Mom… I can’t help who I develop feelings for. I didn’t mean for Nora to get caught up in all this. Didn’t she have a thought for me? I’m her wife’s daughter. I might be falling in love. Seriously, Mom, how many millions—billions—will be enough for that woman? I’m seeing huge red flags here.”

Holly took a deep breath. “Mom, you have to stand up for what’s right. Our relationship isn’t something to be ashamed of. Deborah and I are really into each other, and we deserve to be happy. Nora may need to rethink her priorities if she can’t accept that. She’s part of this family now and should know better.”

Esme was silent for a moment. “You’re right, Holly. I know you’re right. It’s just so hard.”

“I know, Mom. But you guys will work it out. I know it. Was this over the phone?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, you’ll just have to wait until she gets home tonight and talk it through over dinner. It’ll be fine.”

Esme sighed. “I hope so, honey. I do.”

Holly felt a surge of protective anger. “Mom, you have to take care of yourself too. Don’t let Nora’s stress become a burden you have to carry. I get the impression she puts her job first sometimes.”

“I guess that’s true. But then, so do I.”

“Sure. But my relationship, whoever I choose to be with, shouldn’t be the cause of such pain.”

“I’ll try to calm her down, Holly,” Esme muttered quietly. “I’ll talk to her again. But she can be such a stubborn piece of work.”

“Yes, I know,” Holly said. “But remember, family comes first—always.”

“But you just said she was family.”

“Technically, yes. But she needs to start acting like it.”

“I guess so, sweetheart,” Esme whispered. “You know I want you to be happy. This came out of the blue, honey. I think we’re all having a hard time dealing with it.”

“I know, Mom. And I want you to be happy too. Let’s find a way to figure it out.”

Esme’s voice was a mix of relief and lingering worry. “Okay, Holly. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”

Holly decided to make her way to Deborah’s apartment later that evening, her heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety. Deborah answered the door, looking surprised but not unwelcoming.

“Holly,” Deborah said softly. “What are you doing here? Did we have plans? I’ve been sostressed; I must have forgotten. You’ll never believe what happened to me today. My PA, my personal fucking assistant, called me a cradle snatcher. A cradle snatcher! At least, I think that’s what she said. She was supposed to be getting coffee for everyone in the meeting. She was taking orders, and I swear I heard her whisper it under her breath just as she walked past my chair. Now, I know she’s good friends with Ruby. I don’t think you know Ruby. Maybe you do. She’s always down at the Indigo, sitting with the same espresso for hours on end. She’s a writer. Or a wannabe writer. Or something. Actually, I really like her. Or I liked her, at least. But she’s good friends with Mel, my assistant. I don’t know why they’re friends. They have zilch in common. Mel’s all about hair and makeup. I swear to God, I’ve caught her on that TokTok thing the youngsters are all on so many times; it’s unreal. Anyway, I’m pretty sure she must have been talking because?—”

“God, Deborah! Listen to yourself! You’re actually ranting right now. Do you hear yourself? You sound like my mom. Is that what they taught you at that college of yours? Were you on the debate team? I bet once you start, you don’t stop monologuing for, like, 40 minutes, and it’s fucking nuts!Also, it’s TikTok. How can you not know that? Aren’t you, like, in charge of the fucking Internet or something?”

“I’m so sorry. No, just a streaming service. I don’t have much to do with the Internet.”

Although she tried to hold it in, Holly couldn’t help but laugh. “I came here because I needed to see you,” Holly replied. “Can we talk?”

Deborah nodded and led Holly to the kitchen. As Deborah began making coffee, Holly sat at the table, gathering her thoughts.

“I’m sorry,” Holly started, her voice trembling slightly. “I didn’t really understand what you were going through. I was so caught up in my own feelings that I didn’t see how much pain you were in. I can be a bit spoiled sometimes. It’s something I need to work on.”

Deborah paused, her back to Holly as she prepared the coffee. “It’s not easy for me, Holly. I’ve been hurt so badly before. I don’t know if I can go through that again.”

Holly’s heart ached to hear the pain in Deborah’s voice. “I know. I can’t pretend to understand fully, but I want to. I want to be there for you, to help you overcome this.”