37. Ian
37
IAN
I glanced up from my desk on Wednesday afternoon to see my mom stepping inside. She wore a sleek, structured black dress with a gold zipper running down the back, her usual composed elegance radiating even in the middle of the workweek.
“Well?” I asked, my voice tighter than I’d meant for it to be.
“Your father and I just finished our meeting with Marsha and the board,” she said, crossing the room and taking the chair across from me. “And aside from Mr. Mendez making a comment about how the youth of today are so willy-nilly with engagements these days—” A small smile lifted her lips. “—they don’t see any reason to suspend anyone or reconfigure positions.”
“Thank goodness.” I exhaled sharply, the tension I’d been carrying for days finally easing. “That’s…that’s great news.”
Mom studied me, her blue eyes sharp but warm. “You really care about Maddie, don’t you?”
I froze for a beat before rubbing the back of my neck. “Yeah,” I admitted quietly. “I really do. A lot.”
Mom tilted her head, waiting for me to continue.
“And I’m worried I’m going to screw it all up,” I confessed. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “She’s been through so much already. She’s a single mom raising an incredible kid on her own, and she deserves…everything. But what if I’m not what she needs? What if I just make things harder for her?”
Mom’s gaze softened and she reached across the desk, resting a hand over mine. “If you want to pursue this, Ian, you need to be careful. Maddie isn’t like any of the girls you’ve dated before. She has a son. And I’m not sure how much you remember about when your dad and I took a break before we got back together, but it was really hard. You can give her the world, Ian. You can swoop in and change everything for her and Grant. But you can also hurt them.”
Her words landed heavily, and I nodded slowly, the weight of what she was saying sinking in.
“You’ve only known her a few weeks and…I just want to make sure you’re sure before you get their hopes up,” she continued. “And I know it’s a two-way street, so if she’s what you really want, then I hope she feels the same way.”
I swallowed hard, the knot in my chest tightening. “I don’t want to mess this up.”
“Then don’t,” she said simply, her smile gentle but knowing.
An idea flickered in my mind, and I leaned forward. “Has anyone moved into Vaughn’s cottage yet?”
Mom raised an eyebrow. “It’s still empty. Why?”
“Maddie’s looking for a house,” I said, the words coming quickly now. “And since I’m trying to be good and not just invite her to move in with me—” I gave her a wry smile. “—I was wondering if I could offer her the cottage. It would be perfect for her and Grant.”
“That’s a great idea, Ian.” Mom’s smile widened, her approval evident. “I think she’ll love it.”
“Thanks.” A small flicker of hope warmed my chest. “I just…want to make things easier for her.”
“And that’s a good place to start,” she said, squeezing my hand briefly before standing. “Now, go make it happen.”
“Will do,” I said, watching her head toward the door. Then, picking up my phone, I added, “Just after I let Maddie know the board’s decision—and that we’re both in the clear.”
“Good idea.” Mom winked and then left to head back to her office.