Chapter 24 Cautiously Optimistic
CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC
“Icaught you,” Matt said the next day. “Is Dad available for a few minutes?”
He’d looked at their calendar online and saw nothing for them at this time, but that didn’t mean anything. It was more about the fact they weren’t in court, like they’d been yesterday morning. He was in the afternoon.
The last thing he wanted to do was put this conversation off when Anya had already talked to her mother.
He hadn’t known until this morning when he’d sent her a text and she’d filled him in on the celebratory dinner she shared with her mother.
Her father was thrilled with the offer when he’d found out and this morning their papers were signed and sent on.
Everything was falling into place for his girlfriend.
He was ready to share that news with those he loved.
“He should be,” his mother said. “I don’t keep tabs on him.”
Matt knew that. His parents didn’t even ride to work together most days, as one of them could be in court running around.
Grace stood up. “I’ll go get him. We can talk in here.”
“It’s fine. I’m going to grab something to drink.”
He moved to his father’s office, didn’t see him and set off to find him, but saw his mother coming down the hall with his father next to her.
“Mom said you wanted to talk?”
“Yes,” he said.
He went into his father’s office, stood by the door for them to come in and then shut it.
They’d know it was serious then.
Rather than going behind his desk, his father moved to the chair on the other side. There was another chair and couch. His mother sat on the couch, so Matt sat next to her.
“What’s going on?” she asked. “Everything okay?”
Matt smiled. “It is. I wanted to let you both know that I’m dating Anya. Don’t worry. It won’t affect anything with her parents’ lawsuit.”
His mother smirked and then looked at his father.
“We don’t think that,” Tim said.
“When did this start?” his mother asked.
“You know. You set me up. Just be honest.”
His mother’s smile dropped. “How did you figure it out?”
“Damn, Grace. You gave in much faster than I thought you would,” his father said.
“Me too,” Matt said. “I expected more of a fight. I’m disappointed.”
His mother swatted his arm, but he’d jumped back. He was familiar with that move of hers.
“When did you start to date?”
“About a month ago. We were just talking when she came in with her parents. We were testing the waters shortly after.”
“And now you’re comfortable with the temperature?” Grace asked.
“Enough for now.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Tim said.
“I’m not. I’m cautiously optimistic.”
“That sounds old and boring,” Grace said.
His jaw dropped. “Seriously? Anya said I was boring too.”
His parents both laughed at his appalled expression.
“I didn’t say you were boring,” his mother said. “But that your statement was.”
“I proved her wrong.”
“The day at Carowinds?” his mother asked.
“Yes. That was the changing point for us. And I know Jolene has her finger in this. Or thinks she does. She’s been talking to Anya more and we put it together the day after we were there.”
“She isn’t as sly as she used to be,” his father said.
“Are you going to tell her?” he asked.
“Nope,” Grace said.
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“I’m not going to call her to tell her,” his mother insisted.
That didn’t mean the first time Jolene reached out to his mother the news wouldn’t be spread. He knew those lawyer games.
“I told Phoebe on Sunday. I thought she should hear it from me. Anya was her friend first.”
“I’m sure your sister was stunned. She used to run to me about talking to you to cut the crap,” Grace said.
“And you told me to,” he said. He should have listened more. Damn teenage stage where he thought he knew it all. Or maybe his mother didn’t push as hard. No reason to place any blame.
Didn’t all teenagers think that though?
“It didn’t do me much good back then.”
“Did you learn your lesson now?” Tim asked.
“I have.”
“Do you think we can have a family dinner with her over? It’s been a long time,” his mother said.
“I don’t see a problem with it. I’ll find out what works for her. It’s hard with her job, as she can get a call at any point for a showing.”
“Does that bother you?” his mother asked. “That you might not be able to make plans?”
“No,” he said. “She’s had to reschedule a few times, but we worked around it.”
In the past that drove him nuts with other women but not with Anya.
He didn’t have a chance to really think of why that was the case this time.
It wasn’t all fun and games now.
This meant more.
“I’m glad to hear that,” his mother said. “Are you going to let Ben know? He might want to come to dinner too.”
“I’ll reach out to him soon,” he said.
“Since you’re here, any update on Amber and Elliot’s case?”
“I heard from Richard, Shelly’s attorney. They want the Emersons to drop the lawsuit if they agree to pay back the full amount. As I figured, they are trying for a plea deal.”
“What is Amber’s thought on it?” his mother asked.
“I haven’t brought it to them. I told Richard that we both know the Emersons were owed more. The DA said there is almost a million in the investments they’d discovered so far.”
“Interesting,” his father said. “And if that is paid will the Emersons settle?”
“We’ll see what is offered,” he said. “I knew they’d never get the two million we are suing for.
I know it’s important that Amber has the money for Elliot’s care.
Anya told me they had an offer on the building for a little over asking.
As long as that goes through, her parents will net close to a million after debt is paid off, but taxes and commissions will come out of that. ”
“How hard are you going to push with Richard before you let Amber know?” his mother said.
“I’m waiting to hear and then I’ll present it to Amber. Anya wants Shelly to get what is coming to her and that isn’t going to happen. She won’t get jail time.”
“We can’t always win everything,” his mother said. “It’s more about getting the best you can to move on.”
“I know that. I told Anya to trust me. I’m not sure she’ll feel the same way.”
“I’m sorry, Matt. But this is her mother and father’s decision. You’ve got to tread carefully.”
“I am. I have said nothing to Anya and won’t about this. I’ll talk to Amber next.”
Anya might not be happy, but he was working for her parents.
“I hope this doesn’t cause a rift between the two of you,” Tim said.
“If I think it’s going to, I’ll pass it to one of you.”
Though it was the last thing he wanted.
He wanted to be their champion.
The one to protect her and her family.
He wanted Anya to fully trust him and he wasn’t sure she was there just yet.
His ego had to step back.
“We’ll step in if we have to, but you don’t want us to,” his father said.
“No.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing with Anya,” his mother said. “We know you didn’t in the past.”
He was going to have this thrown in his face for years.
“I wasn’t as smart back then,” he said, standing up. He didn’t need to get his ass handed to him again. “But I’ve got it handled now.”
“We hope you do.”