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Deja slammed on the gas once she rounded the corner from her apartment complex. She’d taken a long, much-needed afternoon nap after having a helluva week, but now she was running late to meet up with Raquel for drinks. Her boss’s attitude toward her had made a complete one-eighty shift after Thompson’s assistant had called late Friday afternoon and said Thompson wanted to review the documents for the contract. Her phone rang over the Bluetooth, and she answered immediately. “I’m on my way, Raquel. Sorry.”
“Deja, it’s Kim, I mean, Mom.”
Deja’s jaw dropped. She’d been in such a hurry, she hadn’t even checked the phone number.
“I know you said you didn’t want to hear from me again, and I understand why, but I hoped you’d give me another second.”
Deja tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “I told you—”
“I’m so sorry about everything. Please, one minute.”
Coupled with the conversation she’d had with Nina, Deja’s resolve faded at her mom’s sincere tone. “I’m running late to meet someone. You literally have a minute.”
“I told you I stopped drinking, and I’m in AA. But I don’t know anything about you. Ever since you left home, I never stopped wondering where you were and how you were doing. How’s your life going, Deja? I’ve missed out on so much. That’s all I need to know. How you’re doing.”
Deja didn’t have an answer ready. She had the life that she showed everybody and the more chaotic one few people knew about. “I’m fine.”
“What do you do for a living?”
“I work in event planning, mainly weddings right now.” The words were coming out before Deja could even decide if she wanted to have a conversation with her mom.
“That’s great. I’m proud of you. And how’s my grandson? I didn’t even know you had a boyfriend before you left home. Is the dad still around?”
Deja’s whole body grew ice cold. Her mom didn’t even know Ash was Miles’s father. That bastard had gotten away with what he’d done. “I gotta go.” Deja hung up, and before she could hold the tears in, she bawled uncontrollably. That was exactly why Deja didn’t want anything to do with her mom. There were too many memories she did not care to revisit.
When she arrived at the restaurant, she parked and cleaned up the black mascara streaks on her cheeks. Taking a few breaths, she entered the place, navigating around the tables in the crowded Mexican restaurant until she found Raquel seated in the back with a margarita and a bowl of chips. She slipped into the chair across from her boss. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”
Raquel’s wide smile gave away that she wasn’t upset. “It’s no problem. But are you okay? Your eyes are all red.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just overslept from a nap, is all.” Deja held up the menu to divert Raquel’s inquisitive gaze. Her mom’s call had thrown her off, and she had really hoped this evening she could mull over the situation with Rodney and Kevin, not be thinking about Ash. Either way, now she had to handle business and focus on this time with Raquel. She lowered her menu. “All the drinks on here sound good. I might just have a virgin daiquiri.”
“Virgin? You need some alcohol in that. It’s time to celebrate. After you bombed the presentation, I figured Thompson didn’t think we should get the contract. I’m still totally surprised that he sent back the signed agreement Friday. His assistant said Thompson is requesting to work closely with you to hash out the details.”
Deja’s stomach fell. “Isn’t that more your job? I don’t know the ins and outs of the business like you.”
Raquel tapped Deja’s hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll work together on it.”
Deja wasn’t sure how much more Thompson expected from her.
A young waiter approached the table. His eyes lingered on Raquel’s bust, which she had on full display. Then he trained his gaze to his pad. “Are you ready to order?” His voice broke on the last word.
“What’s this soup like?” Raquel pointed to an item on the menu, which she held inches away from her breasts.
The waiter’s cheeks grew bright red. He hesitated then leaned down to read it. “Tortilla soup. A little spicy but good.”
“I like spicy,” Raquel said. “I’ll take that.”
Deja handed her menu to the boy. “I’ll have the tostada salad.”
The waiter wrote the order down, stole another look at Raquel, and scurried away.
Deja shook her head at Raquel, who had a mischievous grin on her face. “You’re enjoying yourself a little too much.”
“Oh come on, Deja. Relax. You of all people should know how fun it can be to toy with men’s emotions.” Raquel licked the salt off the rim of her margarita before taking a sip.
“Whatever.” Deja didn’t think Raquel was aware of just how serious these games could be.
Raquel munched on a chip. “Now that we have some free time, I’m dying to continue the conversation we were having yesterday. Tell me. Who is the mystery man who’s been calling the office?”
Deja’s cheeks grew warm. Her gaze darted around the restaurant, but there was no escape this time. “He’s no one.”
Raquel pointed at Deja. “See. You said he. Tell me more.”
“Have you ever tried to help people out but only ended up hurting them more than helping? Like sometimes the best intentions can lead you to the worst places.”
Raquel laughed. “I’m so busy running a business, I don’t have time for a boyfriend. I want some gossip out of you, not to have an intellectual conversation.”
Deja shrugged. “I really don’t have any good gossip. I’m just a mom trying to make the best life for my son.” Miles was the only person in the world who mattered to Deja. He was everything. It’d been like that since his birth. From the first time she had held him in her arms and smelled the newborn aroma radiating from his warm head, everything that had ever happened to her before no longer mattered.
“You never talk about Miles’s dad. Do you still have contact with him?”
It was the second time Ash had come up, and Deja couldn’t hide her disdain. “I don’t want to talk about him.”
“Sorry, girl. I didn’t mean to bring up any hard feelings.”
Deja stood. “I’m going to run to the restroom. I’ll be right back.” As Deja walked through the restaurant, her pulse raced. She slammed the bathroom door open then dabbed a cool paper towel on her forehead. She hated that every mention of Ash could disturb her so severely. She blamed him for a lot of the misery she’d experienced in her life, and he had practically forced her into Kevin’s control.
Her hatred for Ash and Kevin consumed her, and she was determined that she’d have to stop Kevin from ruining her life once and for all. She’d just have to be very careful with her next move.
She checked the time—almost nine. She’d gone on too long being scared and victimized. Though someone would get hurt, the time had come for her to do what was best for her and Miles. She sent a simple text that would change everything.