had before.” Tears trail down my cheeks. “You changed my luck, Dame. And for the first time in my life, I feel like if I ever need rescuing, I’ll have somebody there to help save me.”
Any brick or mortar I have left surrounding my heart disintegrates with his confession. He gives me all his trust, and I take it, and in return, I give him mine. Because he is worth it. “I will, Lucas. If you ever need saving, I’ll be there. I promise.”
He presses his forehead to mine. “I’m counting on it.”
“The less someone knows about me, the better, because my intention is to play a variety of characters.”—Joaquin Phoenix
Mila
PRESENT
“Mila,” my mother says my name over the line like it’s a final warning rather than a greeting.
“Hey, Mom.”
“What do I have to do to get a call back from my daughter?”
“How about not putting me on the defensive within two seconds of speaking? That’s a start.”
“I’m irritated.”
“Yes, I can tell from the fire you’re breathing.”
“Such disrespect.”
“Sorry, Mom, I’m tired.”
“Yes, well, I was wanting to take you to an exhibit, but it’s passed.”
“I’m sorry, truly.” And I am. I’ve been neglecting time with my parents in the last few years to travel with Lucas, but it was always for good reason. This time I have left with them is precious, I realize that now more than ever and I’m determined not to waste it.
“I’ve been meaning to take you up on your dinner invite, but why don’t you come over instead, I’ll cook.”
We speak for a few minutes and make the arrangements. I can tell she’s still a little miffed when I end the call but am relieved when it’s over. I’ll have to answer to her at some point, but it doesn’t have to be today. I made sure to invite her at a time I know Lucas will be on set. With the way he’s been acting, I want to avoid a meeting of the two like the plague. Pulling into the driveway after a long day at the bistro, I close my eyes and recount the first time they came face-to-face.
“Stop worrying, Dame, I’ve got this,” Lucas says confidently.
“I’m fine,” I reply with a squeak, my nerves giving me away. His laughter fills the Land Rover while a warm hand squeezes my thigh with reassurance. He looks glorious in loose-fitting dark jeans, a T-shirt, and a blazer. His hair is brushed back in thick waves making him look the part of a posh sophisticate. We’ve been dating for seven months, and it’s been utter bliss. At the moment we’re on our way toward another milestone, meet the parents, well my parents. He’s filmed another movie since we began dating, but the role was a minor, no stress part with an all-star cast. Lucas had only been on set for three weeks before he got home and we’d more than made up for lost time. We’d gone to a few more outings as a couple and so far, so good. I’ve been diligent about not paying attention to the tabloids or reading online comments from his fans about the status of his new relationship. Ignorance is indeed bliss as far as I’m concerned.
Life is good. He practically lives at my house at this point. When he isn’t filming, he admitted he mostly lived in a hotel, so most of our time together is spent at my cottage. Currently, he has two of his own drawers at my house which means we are on the cusp of more commitment. Everything inside me tells me he is my forever man and our exchanged words have started to deepen to an extent. Inside, I feel a glow I’d never known was possible.
Lucas is my best friend and remains the most spectacular of lovers. He is still guarded about some parts of his life and doesn’t want to talk much about the past, but I’ve always known eventually he will come clean to me. We are in the best place we could be, so at my mother’s insistence and with a brief window in his schedule, we agree to finally take her invite for dinner. My mother and I have been on a rare out of sorts since the party, but I refuse to let her influence my relationship. It’s her own brand of dramatic flair that has me worried about this meet.
When we pull up to the house, I can see the surprise on Lucas’s face.