“What about this?” Nic held up a black velvet sleeping mask with the word “Snoozing” written on the strap. “This is so Ava. Of all of us, she’s the one who treasures her sleep the most. She travels with a Do Not Disturb aura.”
Ben frowned and scratched his cheek. “You can get a sleep mask anywhere. Don’t you want to get her, all of your friends, something specific to the Vineyard?”
Nic pursed her glossed lips. “Hmmm, you mean like a tie-dye sweatshirt or a rainbow beach towel with ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ scrawled across it?”
“Yes.”
“No. We’re not twelve years old and visiting Myrtle Beach.” She leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips. “But thank you for caring.”
The hum of attraction skimmed along his skin making him extra aware of her. Of how she looked, moved, smelled. Their argument yesterday bothered him because they never fought. He’d gotten used to being the one she turned to when she was upset. To be the one on the other side didn’t sit well with him.
She held up a Ruth Bader Ginsberg cross-stitch kit then a framed print that read “Put the Seat Down, You Fucker,” as if weighing her options, then sighed. “I may be a while. You don’t have to wait in here for me. Is there anything you’d rather be doing?”
He moved close to her and whispered in her ear. “Yes, but I need you to do it and I’d rather not do it here, although . . . I’m not opposed to a little PDA.”
She laughed. “Let me rephrase. Is there any sightseeing or shopping you’d like to do on your own?”
“In that case, no.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll be sitting outside at one of the cafe tables next door. Take your time.”
It was a lovely day on their coastal island, the sun shining bright, the weather temperate. Couples strolled the beautiful old historic streets, peeping in boutiques and art galleries while families sat at many of the outdoor eating venues talking and laughing. He settled onto a metal-and-wood chair and began confirming their travel arrangements for tomorrow.
Just as he’d promised, he’d booked them on a flight back to avoid a repeat occurrence of Nic’s seasickness. With those plans confirmed, he checked his email to see if any issues had arisen at work. He and Ezra talked once a day, usually in the morning, to handle any questions or situations that came up the preceding day.
He was just replying to the email his assistant had forwarded him confirming some meetings next week when a voice calling his name caused his fingers to freeze midair.
“Benjamin! I thought that was you.”
His mother stood in front of him, polished in white pants and a pink blouse, a triumphant smile on her face.
A sudden ache throbbed in the back of his throat. He stood and kissed her on the cheek. “What are you doing here?”
“Where else would we be?”
Anywhere I’m not.
Fortunately, her question was rhetorical. Fallon continued, “You called your father with a cryptic request and I remembered when I visited you last week you asked me about the same person. We wanted to get to the bottom of this little mystery.”
That was unexpected. It had been years since they’d taken the time to seek the reason behind anything he asked.
“I thought you were in New York.”
“I am. That’s why it was so easy to hop up here on a quick weekend jaunt. Now”—she sat down, crossing one leg over the other—“what’s so important about this James Newman at Duke?”
He clenched his teeth, unsure of how to respond. This personal interest in something he was doing was new.
“What the hell? I got them all. I even threw in that jute fabric tote with ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ written on it. Happy?” Nic asked, peering into the plastic bag in her hand. She looked up and her brows rose. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
Ben rose again. “You’re not. Nic, this is my mother, Dr. Fallon Rothschild Van Mont. Mother, this is my friend, Nic.”
Nic’s smile illuminated her entire face. “Doctor Van Mont. It’s an honor to meet you. I enjoyed your paper on the impact of new technology on cardiothoracic surgical practices.”
Fallon shook Nic’s hand, expertly scanning her from the top of her curly hair, down to her “Started from the Bottom” T-shirt, past her cut-off Levi’s and the black Converses covering her feet. “You read my paper?”
Nic gave a brisk nod. “I did. It’s an interest of mine. Emerging technology impacts orthopedics, too, whether it’s the next great implant or a new care delivery model. It represents an opportunity to improve quality and access to care for our patients.”
“Orthopedics?” Fallon shifted her gaze back to Ben.
“Surgery. I just finished my residency at Johns Hopkins. I’m supposed to start a fellowship in sports medicine surgery at Duke.”
“Ah,” Fallon said. “You’re the reason behind Benjamin’s curious inquiry.”
Shit. “Sorry. Yes, this is Dr. Nicole Allen.”
Nic’s smile dimmed a fraction. “He was doing me a favor.”
“And I appreciate the two of you doing me that favor.” Ben looked around. “Is Father here with you?”
“No. It’s just me. There’s a charming little bookstore with a great coffeeshop attached not too far from here. Would you care to join me for a cup?”
“We’d love to,” Nic said.
The last thing he wanted was for Nic to spend time with him and his mother. “Can you give us a moment?”
Fallon adjusted the printed scarf wrapped around the handle of her purse. “A brief one, Benjamin.”
Placing his hand on the small of Nic’s back, he escorted her to the side. “You don’t have to do this. Take the car and head back to the house.”
“Are you kidding me?” Her eyes shone with the light of fanaticism usually seen in the recently converted. “Dr. Fallon Rothschild Van Mont invited me to have coffee with her. She’s a genius. Plus, she’s my best chance to save my fellowship. There’s no way I’m turning down this opportunity.”
Fuck! He knew that worshipful look. “I understand, but you don’t know her like I do.”
She lifted a shoulder. “She was perfectly pleasant.”
“You’ve spoken to her for five minutes. I’ve had over thirty years. Trust me that I know her better than you do,” he said, shoving a hand through his hair. “I will talk to her and close this deal, I promise.”
Nic set her jaw and advanced into his personal space. “I appreciate your help, Ben. But the best person to advocate for me is me.”
This wasn’t a good idea but he recognized that firm tilt to her chin. Nic was determined to go; she wouldn’t back down. He’d do his best to try to keep everyone on topic.
They found the cafe on Main Street. It was a hidden garden oasis where thick foliage-lined trellis fencing offered privacy while sail awnings and string lights lent the space an inviting, secluded feel. They got their coffees and grabbed one of the few remaining tables.
“Have you been to the Vineyard before?” Fallon asked Nic.
“No. This is my first time.”
“We’ve been coming here for years, since before Benjamin was born. We have a house here but he chose not to stay there.”
“I didn’t know that but you don’t have to worry. Palmer’s house is gorgeous.”
“You’re staying with Palmer, too?” Fallon took a sip of coffee and eyed Ben over the rim.
Damn. When he’d left the message for his father, Ben hadn’t gone into detail about the nature and closeness of his relationship with Nic. He didn’t think his parents would give his request enough thought for it to matter. But now with his mother subjecting them to the same scrutiny as her surgeries, he wished he’d come up with a better cover story.
“We’re all there,” he said.
“I know. You mentioned that the last time we talked.” Fallon shifted back in her chair, crossed her legs and asked Nic, “Have you enjoyed your time here?”
“I have.” Nic must have sensed the undercurrents because she glanced at him, a frown sullying her features before continuing, “It’s a beautiful place.”
“That it is,” Fallon murmured.
Ben couldn’t tell what his mother was thinking and that bothered him.
“Tell me about yourself, Nicole.”
“I went to college and med school at the University of Virginia and, as I mentioned, I just completed my residency at Johns Hopkins.”
Nic’s earlier excitement had vanished along with his hope to shelter her from witnessing his family dynamic. The tension present when he interacted with his parents could smother joy and suck the air out of any room they occupied.
He also noted that she didn’t respond with information about her hobbies, what she liked or disliked. She’d gone straight to her profession.
That was Nic in a nutshell.
“I assume that’s how you know Benjamin?”
“Yes,” he said, heeding the instinct to protect their nascent relationship.
Nic must’ve gotten the message because she didn’t elaborate.
Fallon’s pursed lips showed her annoyance, but she continued, “And your family? Where are you from?”
“Tennessee. A small town north of Memphis. As for family, it’s just me and my mom.”
“Did your father pass away?”
Nic’s expression tightened. “I don’t know.”
And her tone made it clear that she wasn’t interested in continuing that line of conversation.
He stepped into the verbal void, a role he was so comfortable in, he did it unconsciously. “Nic’s a brilliant doctor. She didn’t just finish her residency, she was actually chief resident.”
He wanted to draw the attention away from Nic’s family and put it back on her work where he knew she wanted it to be. His parents weren’t the most evolved people and he worried that his mother would make a comment that betrayed her lack of empathy.
The tactic worked.
“Chief resident? That’s an impressive achievement. You must be really good at what you do to receive that accolade.”
“Thank you,” Nic said, appearing pleased by the compliment.
“I wish Benjamin had your same work ethic. Who knows how far he could’ve gone.”
Now that was the type of comment he expected from his mother. Ben narrowed his eyes, but he held his tongue.
This isn’t about you. You can endure anything if it means helping Nic.
“Why did you need us to speak to Dr. Newman at Duke?”
Nic answered before he could. “I was accepted into his fellowship program, but the parent of an intern I disciplined threatened to smear my name.”
“I abhor the way politics interfere in the practice of medicine. If you were already accepted into the fellowship by your merits, you shouldn’t be denied what you achieved because of someone’s hurt feelings.” Fallon set her cup down. “I’d be happy to make a call on your behalf.”
Nic laid a hand over her heart. “You don’t know what this means to me, Dr. Van Mont. Thank you so much.”
“Yes, Mother. Thank you.” That had gone better than he’d anticipated. “If you could call as soon as possible, that would be great. Nic starts in a few weeks. I’ll text you a reminder—”
“I’m one of the top surgeons in the country,” Fallon said. “I’m quite capable of remembering what I’ll need to do, Benjamin.”
“Your father and I are very important people, Benjamin! Our patients need us. Are your wants more important than theirs? Isn’t that a bit selfish? Sacrifices must be made.”
Heat singed his cheeks but he refused to look at Nic. He hated that she was seeing this.
Beneath the table Nic’s hand landed on his thigh and squeezed. That show of support warmed him more than she could ever know.
She cleared her throat. “Ben mentioned you were in New York for a research project. What are you working on?”
Fallon brightened. “I’m working with the Thoracic Oncology Research Laboratory. They’re interested in the biology of non-small cell lung cancer and aggressive malignant tumors of the chest lining.”
“Mesothelioma,” Nic said, nodding.
“Yes. They’re actively investigating complementary aspects of lung cancer biology at the single-cell level while also looking at the critical cell signaling networks contributing to the development of the disease.”
Nic leaned forward. “How fascinating. A breakthrough there could help develop more effective patient-specific therapies.”
“Exactly . . .”
Watching Nic and his mother’s discussion, he couldn’t help but notice their identical absorbed expressions. He knew Nic’s work was important to her, but this was the first time he’d seen her interacting with a peer.
It was eerily familiar.
“I need to be going. It was a pleasure meeting you, Nicole. It’s so nice to be able to discuss my work in such pleasant surroundings. Benjamin never shows the least bit of interest.”
Death by a thousand paper cuts.
“I thought I was doing us both a favor,” he said, lightly. They’d almost made it through the encounter. He didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the feat they’d accomplished. “You don’t want to hear about my work, either.”
“Come now. Your father and I save lives. What you do isn’t comparable.”
Fuck.
He’d been clenching his jaw so often, he’d probably worn down the top layer of enamel on his molars. Resentment curdled in his stomach. How many times did he need to hear proof of his parents’ disrespect for him and what he did before it stopped hurting?
Nicole glanced at him, her expression full of sympathy and concern.
Which made him feel worse.
“You know, Nicole, Benjamin had a bright future. Of course, we were devastated when he decided not to go to medical school, but there were plenty of opportunities for him at Van Mont Industries. He was doing so well and then he just abandoned them. The family has worked so hard to build an important, successful business for the next generation. Why he’d want to leave it to start up some fly-by-night back alley boiler room is something his father and I will never understand.”
Nic offered a little laugh. “I don’t think it’s fair to compare Reed Financial Services to a boiler room. He’s been recognized several times by the city and in his industry.”
Fallon arched a brow. “That’s nice but he could’ve been chief financial officer of a multibillion-dollar company.”
“That’s not what I wanted,” he said flatly. He didn’t know why he even bothered. “I wanted to help people.”
Fallon waved off his response with her usual disdain. “Van Mont Industries is a multinational biopharmaceutical company. They help people all of the time.”
“From a distance. I wanted to be more involved. It’s the difference between teaching in medical school or practicing in the ER.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You had the chance to help people on a global scale and you chose not to. It’s as simple as that.”
Nic stiffened next to him and narrowed her eyes. This time he grabbed her thigh beneath the table and squeezed.
Don’t do it.
She ignored his mental plea.
“Dr. Van Mont, I find your comments about Ben and his work peculiar.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He’s a good man. He’s hardworking and his firm is doing well. He may not be a doctor, but he does provide an important service to people who need it. But even if none of that were true, as his mother, you should be proud of him anyway.”
What was she doing? This was not in her best interests and it would not end well. He needed to intervene.
“It’s okay, Nic. She’s entitled to her opinion.” Fallon should love hearing that. She reminded him of it often enough. “Mother, it was good to see you. Please give Father my—”
“You’re offering me unsolicited parenting advice?” Fallon arched a sculpted brow at Nic. “Do you have children?”
Nic frowned. “No.”
“Then why do you presume to know my son better than I do?”
This was not good.
“Because I see him more than you do. I spend more time with him than you do. And from personal experience I can tell you that it takes more to parent a child than contributing DNA. Their presence, care, and consideration are also required. It seems you’ve been lacking on the latter three qualities.”
The silence between them was deafening. Suddenly, as if she’d just emerged from a trance, Nic’s mouth dropped open and horror seeped over her features with the realization of what she’d done.
She stood abruptly, her hip jostling the table. “Um, please excuse me.”
She turned and hurried down the street.
He leaped from his seat. “Nic, wait!”
“Let her go,” Fallon said, staring after Nic, her lips firmly downturned.
“She was upset on my behalf. Make the call. You said you would.”
He rushed after her. She moved fast for one so small. It took a block before he caught sight of her curly hair.
“Hey! Nic! Stop!”
She finally did, but so abruptly that several people quickly sidestepped her to avoid causing a pedestrian pileup.
The blood had drained from her face and her eyes were too wide and too bright. “What the fuck was I thinking? I just reprimanded Fallon Rothschild Van Mont!”
He was glad she wasn’t focused on him. She’d be pissed if she saw the smile he couldn’t suppress. “It was a novel experience.”
“I was so excited to meet her. Then she started being awful to you and saying the worst things and I remembered what you told me about your childhood. How could a mother not be proud of you?” She looked off into the distance, hugging herself while she absently stroked her upper arm with the opposite hand. “She’s never going to call Duke on my behalf.”
Probably not.
But there was a chance for another miracle. Because something extraordinary had already happened.
He pulled her into his arms. “No one’s ever done that for me before. You stood up to my mother. For me.”
Instead of melting into his embrace she pushed away from him. “Why didn’t you?”
Was Nic mad at him? “Why didn’t I what?”
“Stand up for yourself?” she said, her body rigid. “Why do you let her speak to you that way?”
He shrugged. “That’s who she is. I don’t let it bother me.”
“Oh my God! Do you always have to be so reasonable? With your mother putting you down. Your friends calling you Benji. Maybe you should let it bother you.”
“What do you expect me to do?”
“Get mad! Tell them off! Don’t just sit there and take it.”
He clenched his jaw. “Isn’t that what got you in this situation in the first place?”
“I’m not going to apologize for refusing to let people walk all over me.”
Is that what she thought he did?
“My mother’s angry because I’m not living my life the way she wants me to. How will yelling at her change that?”
“Maybe it won’t. But someone had to do something. Unlike you I couldn’t sit there and take it in silence. Clearly, I should have. If I’d kept my mouth shut, I wouldn’t have just fucked up my life.”
“You didn’t fuck up your life.”
“Just—” She took a step back and lifted her hands to ward him off. “I need some space. I’ll see you back at the house.”
“Nic—”
She shook her head then turned and walked away.
Great!
When he returned to the cafe to get Nic’s forgotten purchases, he was surprised to see his mother still sitting there.
“How close are you and Dr. Allen?”
He collapsed into a chair. “Why?”
“You implied you were asking this as a favor for an acquaintance, but it’s clear you know each other well. She seems to believe she knows you better than I do.”
“She does.” He raked a hand through his hair. “She’s one of my best friends.”
“And more, by the looks of it.”
From her hard eyes and tight expression he could tell Fallon was displeased. Dammit.
“I told you she was angry on my behalf. Don’t hold that against her.”
Fallon’s nostrils flared. “Why did she think you needed protection from me?”
Fuck, he was making it worse!
He braced his elbows on the table and dropped his forehead into his palms. He knew how much that fellowship meant to Nic, had witnessed firsthand her dedication and drive to meet her goals over the past three years. He’d promised to fix this for her and they’d been so close. The thought that he’d ruined her chances broke his heart. Her happiness, her success was as important to him as it was to her.
Because you love her.
Euphoria surged through him and he raised his head. He loved her. He loved Nic! He didn’t care about her job or whether she ticked the boxes on some imaginary wife checklist. She was funny, smart, beautiful, clever, caring . . . everything he could ever want in a woman.
He leaned forward, his heart acting as a paddle ball against his rib cage. “Mother, this was my fault.”
“Benjamin—”
“Nic is an exceptional doctor and a hard worker. She deserves that fellowship!”
Fallon shrugged. “Not if Duke wants to revoke their offer.”
He couldn’t let Nic lose this opportunity. He’d give anything he had to make it right. But what could he do? He had nothing his parents wanted—
A memory blossomed. “I’ll do it.”
Fallon paused, the cup of coffee midway to her mouth. “Excuse me?”
His gaze was direct and determined. “If you call Dr. Newman on Nic’s behalf and ensure that she keeps her fellowship, I’ll come back to Van Mont Industries and run the foundation.”