at running this place. I’m just not good at being a mom.”
Not knowing what to say, Tess handed back the drawing.
“It was easier when she was a baby. Feed her, change her, rock her. I didn’t worry about messing up, but as she grew, I felt more and more helpless. Josh is actually better with her than I am.” Monique snapped the lid closed and placed the box back in her drawer. “I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t want you to think I’m some unfeeling monster.”
“I don’t think that, Monique.”
“I feel that way sometimes,” she said with a sigh.
“My dad built Ullo from nothing, just like you, but it’s easier for a man. He had my mother at home taking care of carpool, homework, snacks—the stuff all parents have to deal with. He worked hard to build Ullo, but he never put his business before his family. Never. I think that’s a good policy. And I think every parent feels like they suck sometimes. I mean, I don’t know firsthand, but it seems that way to me.”
Monique shifted her gaze, seemingly thinking about what Tess said. “Maybe so.”
“My dad’s dying, and in these final months, he’s let go of Ullo… but he’s gathered to him the people he loves. It’s not about contracts”—Tess tapped the paper—“or specifications. It’s about people.”
Tugging the contract from beneath Tess’s finger, Monique tossed it in the trash. “Okay. There. I’ll start with you.”
Tess gave her a puzzled look.
“I’m not going to read over the fine print, talk badly about you for changing your mind, or pitch a fit over the Oedipus bid. I’m going to let it go so I can go home early and watch Josh and Emily kick balls into the net Graham bought her. The thing takes up our whole backyard.”
“Wow.”
Monique gave her a shrug and a slight smile. “Yeah, I know. I’m getting soft.”
Tess raised her eyebrows. “Or maybe you’re accepting that life can’t always be controlled. I’ve had to figure that out myself.”
Monique gave her a genuine smile. “I don’t want to lose you, Tess, but I’m not going to stop you. Hell, I can’t stop you anyway. I agreed to that damn waiting period.”
“Thank you,” Tess said, standing and extending a hand. “And I’m sorry if I got preachy on you.”
“Maybe I needed a little preaching. Maybe I need to quit trying so damn hard. Miles actually said something like that to me, too.” Monique took her hand.
Miles and Oedipus. The conversation between her and Monique had taken a turn off course, and Tess hadn’t addressed the contract clause Miles had placed in the agreement with Upstart. “You need to talk to Miles and renegotiate the contract. I’m not staying, but my Oedipus designs belong to you.”
Monique released her hand. “I’ll call him.”
Tess turned and started for the door.
“Hey, Tess,” Monique said.
Tess turned around. “Yeah?”
“I never said I was sorry, but I am. I shouldn’t have allowed Cecily to tell me my stuff was better when it obviously wasn’t. You’re right about my issue with control and wanting affirmation. I need to do better with that. Thanks for telling me the truth.”
“You’re welcome. We both learned something working together. I learned it’s okay to fail, to be wrong, and to accept who I am.” Tess gave Monique a small wave, and then she turned and left Upstart for good. When she got to her car, she dialed the number she hadn’t dialed in almost two months.
“Hey, Billie, it’s Tess. I’m wondering if Mr. Naquin has filled my old position yet.”
She listened for several seconds, covering the mouthpiece to keep from laughing in relief.
“In that case, I’d like to make an appointment for next week.”
THE FOLLOWING MONDAY came with little relief from the now summerlike heat or the ache in Graham’s heart. He had seen Tess Thursday at Ladybug soccer practice, where she treated him with polite professionalism.
Hell, he’d rather she rubbed in the fact she’d scored the Oedipus floats than treat him as if he were just another parent. He’d gotten the message last Monday when they’d parted—business as usual.
He didn’t have to like it though.
The entire time he watched her work with the little girls on the soccer team, he kept thinking, “She’s mine.” But she wasn’t and likely never would be.
She’d never responded to his call or text, and now he knew how she’d felt months ago. Made him feel used and not worth bothering with.
Pair all that with the fact he’d lost the Oedipus account and