BEAU

My hand scrubs over my face once Delilah is out the door. I have never felt more useless in my life than I do right now, which makes me angry. I could kill my cousin for calling my mother. This wouldn't be happening if Harvey hadn't found out I was investing in Delilah's company, which I still don't know how he did. Harvey came the night of the party hoping to talk me out of it—his presence was just as much a surprise to me as it was for Delilah—but it was already too late. Knowing Harvey, I bet he told my mother so she would come and ruin my plans for winning Delilah back. I punch the nearest wall as I realize all my progress from the past week is turning to dust as Delilah's scent fades away.

Making my way back to the kitchen, the anger continues to course through my body. My mother and Harvey have ruined things for me again. I am pissed off beyond words. And what makes matters worse is I can't do anything to either of them.

Mother gasps when she sees me. "Oh my God, son, why did you punch the wall?" She takes my hand, examining the bruised knuckles.

"When are you leaving?" I draw my hand away from my mother's and step back, putting some distance between us. I love her, but the woman is the reason for more than half of my problems in this world. I don't even understand why I care about her or even listen to her after everything she's done to me.

"I don't know when I'm leaving, but I plan to stay for a few days at least," Mother says, following me up to my bedroom.

"I know you didn't come here to take care of me. You can leave since you have accomplished what you came here to do."

"Despite your beliefs, I am here to help you."

"I don't need help."

"That's not true; Delilah was here for the same reason. Why are you pushing me away, Beau?"

"Are you really asking me that question?" I ask, my brow arching.

"Don't tell me you are angry with me because I threw out that...thing. I can't even believe you were bold enough to allow her into your home."

"She's a person, Mother." I sigh, not wanting to deal with an argument about Delilah. They never end well, and the last thing I want to do is take a visit to Grandfather's—which is exactly what will happen if I push this right now. "Please, I would like to shower. If you don't mind, can we continue this discussion later?"

"You're trying to avoid talking about her? No problem. I never liked talking about her, either." Mother replies, thankfully letting the subject drop. "I'll leave you alone now."

Thank God, I thought going into the bathroom and locking the door.

***

Later that night, I sit with Mother at Harvey's restaurant for dinner. But I would rather be anywhere else. The food is taking forever, which unfortunately for me means there's plenty of time for conversation.

Mother clears her throat before speaking. "So, Harvey tells me you are done with the business you came here for?"

"I am done with most of it," I answer, even though my attention is on my phone. Delilah hasn't replied to any of my messages or called me back. I've been worried all day about how she's been since the incident this morning. She must be deeply hurt that I kicked her out, but I didn't have a choice. I love her too much to not protect her from my vicious mother, even if she doesn't understand. I protected her seven years ago by breaking up with her, and I will continue to protect her until I can find a way out of this situation. Maybe one day I can earn her forgiveness for all the pain I have caused her.

"That's good to hear." Mother's voice interrupts my thoughts. "I'm going to see your grandfather next weekend. He has asked me to bring you along. He says the Clark family will be around and feels it might be a good time for you to finally meet them." She gives me a pointed look. "I think so, too."

My shoulders drop as I sigh. "We are back to this again?" I close my eyes momentarily and pinch the bridge of my nose. I hate when my mother talks about the Clark family. Yet another conversation that always ends up as a heated fight.

"What do you mean by that? It's going to happen sooner or later." She drums her fingers along the table and leans forward. "I know you think I don't know why you're here, but I do. I have allowed this stupid wish to float in your head long enough." She sits back in her seat. "It's time we meet the Clark family."

"And if I say I won't?" I glare at my mother.

"I know you wouldn't do that because your love for that stupid girl won't allow you to."

"She is not stupid, and I promised you I would meet the Clark family when I turn thirty. I'm twenty-seven, Mother."

"I know, but I fear we might never meet them unless it happens now."

I close my eyes once more and massage my temple as I try to think of a way out of this. I want to continue to put off my meeting with the Clark family, but I know my thirtieth birthday is just around the corner. Maybe if I meet them now, my mother will give me some breathing space afterwards. That way, I can continue to focus on getting Delilah back.

"Fine," I answer. "I'll fly with you to meet the Clark family this weekend."

"Thank you, dear. You are such a good son," Mother says, patting my cheeks.

DELILAH

I scream into my pillow and try to cool down. Once I have had my fill of screaming, I lift my face and turn to lie down on my back. All I can do is stare at the ceiling as the events of yesterday and this morning replay in my mind. My thighs pull closer together as my thoughts linger on what Beau did on our way to his apartment last night and then on what he did this morning. Turning my head, I scream into my pillow again as I remember the look on Jenny's face as Beau kicked me out. Pure victory. It annoyed the shit out of me. But the main source of my anger is that Beau asked me to leave. I feel so hurt by what he did. How could he kick me out of his house just because his mother wanted me gone? A part of me actually thought he would fight his mother and tell her I wasn't going anywhere. His reaction isn't surprising though. It's not the first time Beau has sided with his mother. When we were together, he never defended me against the insults she hurled my way. I should know by now that when the time comes for Beau to choose, he will always pick her, as much as I hate to admit it. Which hurts a lot, because his mother is annoying as fuck. That woman belittles me every chance she gets.

It was hard dealing with her when Beau and I were dating, but I felt it was worth it back then because I loved him. We aren't together anymore, and she still insults me. Plus my feelings are getting crushed by Beau to top it all off. My life is just perfect, isn't it?

Sitting up, I release a sigh. I look down at myself, and all the things Beau did to my body flash through my mind. A massive wave of shame washes over me as I remember the way I came undone both times he touched me. I need to shower and rid my body of the feeling of Beau's hands. Most importantly, I need to stay away from him. It shouldn't be hard. I just need to remember his mother and that will do the job.

After a nice shower, I dress up and drive over to Tamara's place. I haven't seen her all week, so I want to check in on her. I walk up to her door and knock once I arrive.

"Hello," she says, opening the door wide for me to come in.

"How are you doing?" I ask, stepping into her beautiful home.

"Good, I guess."

I take notice of the dark circles under her eyes. "Why do you look so tired? Are things stressful these days at the restaurant?"

"No. Harvey is the reason I look like crap."

"What does he have to do with it?" I take a seat on her couch.

"He's just making things difficult for me." She walks to her kitchen to get me a drink.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"I expected him to, but what he is doing is far beyond what I thought I could handle." Her voice travels from the kitchen.

"How bad is it?"

"Bad. I have been thinking of leaving."

"If it's that bad, then do it."

"I know I should, but..."

I put together the reason for her hesitation. "He won't let you."

"No, he won't. Every time I try to quit, he threatens to have me blacklisted." She walks out of the kitchen with two wine glasses.

"Does he hate you that much?" If Harvey blacklisted her, she'd never be able to work in another restaurant.

"Yes, he does." She says, handing me a glass.

"Thank you." I say, taking the wine. "So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know, Lilah. I go to work every day, and Harvey makes my life a living hell."

"Except for the fact that Harvey doesn't fancy our kind like that witch aunt of his, do you think there might be another reason he hates you so much?" I ask before taking a sip of my chardonnay.

"He makes me clean the kitchen floor until I can see my reflection in it. I don't think there could be another reason."

"Are you serious? You aren't even kitchen staff."

"I might not be kitchen staff, but I am his employee, so he can still ask me to do whatever he wants."

"Wow, that's horrible. Have you thought of reporting him to the police?"

"I could, but someone like Harvey will just make it disappear."

"That's true."

"Enough about me," Tamara says, taking a sip of her wine. "How is Beau doing?"

I almost groan at the subject change. "Please don't even mention his name."

"What did he do this time?"

"What didn't he do is what you should be asking."

The whole rest of the evening is spent ranting to Tamara about how pissed I am at Beau. She also guessed Harvey must have been the one who told Jenny that I was taking care of Beau. I'm sure she worried that if I cared for him, my feelings for him might resurface. But she doesn't have to worry. Beau is doing an excellent job crushing my heart and ruining any possibility of that on his own.