“He’s stepped into my world, takin’ my clients. I’m doin’ what I have to do, and I do it without my name being dragged around. He’s goin’ to bust what I’m doin’ wide open and I don’t need that. End him.”

“Right,” Ulio grumbles.

“Nice talkin’ to you,” I say, hanging up.

I lean back in my chair, running my hands through my hair. Runnin’ this business as well as keepin’ certain other dealings going, is proving difficult. Not to mention having the added shit of tryin’ to convince a girl she’s the one for me. I haven’t had to chase a woman in my life; never had to do all that nice shit to make them believe I care. Now I have to, because if Katia finds out her purpose, I’m fucked.

Hot as she is, I’m not looking forward to giving up my space.

It’s always been just me.

I’m not ready to share.

~*~*~*~

KATIA

“I look terrible!” I cry.

Candice rolls her eyes. “Stop talking poo! You look great.”

I turn and glare at her. “My hair looks awful, I’m slightly sunburned and I’m sure there’s a pimple growing beneath my skin.”

Candy puts her hands on her hips, tipping her head to the side and giving me an exasperated look. “Your hair is gorgeous, you are tan, not red and there is no pimple. Stop trying to get out of this date with Marcus.”

“He’s too much,” I say, my voice going softer. “I can’t possibly juggle a man like that as well as trying to work and look after Mom.”

Candy’s eyes soften and she puts a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay to enjoy life, Kat. You don’t have to live life just working and looking after your mom. Go out; enjoy Marcus because he’s there to be enjoyed. He likes you, because from what I hear, he never ever calls a woman back. Go for it.”

I stare at her and I know somewhere deep down that she’s right. A slow smile spreads across my face. “So I look okay?”

She wraps an arm around me and laughs. “You look amazing.”

Thank God for Candy.

~*~*~*~

“Are you sure you’re okay, Mom?” I whisper, tucking a strand of hair behind my mom’s ear.

I stare at her in her chair, and remember a time when she was tall and graceful. She seemed so healthy, so radiant, until one day she got a headache. It went on for months, she saw doctors, until finally she got a scan. She had a tumor in a difficult position. We spent a year believing it couldn’t be removed, and that she would die, but a doctor said he’d try. She was in such a bad way, suffering to the point where she couldn’t get out of bed, and so she decided it was worth the risk.

She got the tumor removed, but essential nerves were damaged. Now she struggles with her limbs. Her brain doesn’t send the right communication signals, and she finds it difficult to move her body how she would normally. She has intense physiotherapy and has had another operation to fix some damage, but she’s still not well enough to live a normal life. She will be forever in care, even if it’s just mild.

This is never what she wanted, but it’s what she got, and I can’t leave her alone.

“I’m okay, sweet.” She beams, her voice slightly slurred. It’s not bad, but it’s there. “Enjoy yourself.”

My beautiful mom—even when she’s in such a state, she still manages to make my life beautiful. She hums, even sings, on a daily basis. She always requests I put flowers and bright things in the house, and she’s forever encouraging me to go out and enjoy myself. Even though she struggles with her movements, she is able to work her hands enough to do basic things for herself, however when I’m not here, she needs a carer.

We have Ellie for that.

I pay a great deal for Ellie, but it’s worth it.

“Ellie will arrive any minute, and I won’t be long.”

She reaches out for me, but it takes her longer than it should so I reach down and clasp her hand.

“Don’t worry about me,” she says slowly, and I know she’s tired. “Please, Katia.”

“I always worry about you,” I say, kissing her cheek. “But I’ll go.”

“Is he nice?” She smiles.

I grin down at her. My mom, even now, is so incredibly beautiful. I wish she had found a man who loved her the way she deserves to be loved.

“He’s handsome, but I don’t really know him.”

I’m not about to tell mom I’m going out with a player and we slept together on the first night.

“You will.” She beams.

I laugh at her optimism just as Ellie arrives. She’s a small Mexican woman who is funny but stern. She doesn’t let Mom overdo it, but at the same time, the two have an amazing relationship and have made lifelong friends in one another.

“Good evening, Katia,” Ellie says, kissing my cheek.

She’s dressed in a soft, floral dress. Her hair is down, touching her shoulders and her brown eyes are stress-free and happy. She’s always happy. I love her for that. Mom loves her for that.

“Thank you for coming at such short notice.” I smile, hugging her.

“You don’t worry about that,” she chastises, wagging her finger at me. “You go, enjoy.”

Car lights flash through the window and my chest seizes. “He’s here,” I breathe.

“Shall Ellie come out, meet this man, tell him how to treat my sweetheart?” Ellie says, puffing out her chest.