Emmett’s mother was tall but slender and he’d always thought of her as a little fragile. So why did she seem to tower over him right now?

What was really impressive was how innocent she made her next statement. “Why did you say that about meeting with Elle? I would have thought you would be happy to see her.”

Emmett’s stomach tightened. He was not going to share this story with his mom.

She tried again. “I know Elle left after graduation and there were some troubles between you.”

Troubles was putting it mildly, but it wasn’t graduation he had been thinking about. There was a lot his mom didn’t know. That no one did.

“But you two have been close since pre-K.” His mother pressed on.

Emmett coughed out a laugh. Elle and he had been close at one time, but it was funny his mom should mention pre-K. It seemed that long since things had been uncomplicated between him and Elle.

They’d once been as close as two people could be without becoming intimate. He’d considered Elle his soulmate, even though they’d never kissed until late in high school. He’d watched her date loser after loser and never said a word, only held her when they inevitably broke her heart.

He’d begun to think of her as more, to think that maybe they might have something real and lasting. Until the day she’d crushed him.

“That was a long time ago, Ma.”

She nodded. “I know, I just thought maybe now, since it’s been so long—”

“Look, Ma, you don’t know the whole story.” He glanced at the oak door, wishing he could escape.

“Then tell me.”

Hell no. Wasn’t happening. Emmett shook his head.

“I know she left after graduation and you weren’t able to say good-bye. You were heart-broken.”

Emmett wanted to laugh. He had been heart-broken, but that wasn’t the reason for his anger now. As far as his mom was concerned, the last time he’d seen Elle had been after high school. And as far as he was concerned, she could keep thinking that.

“There isn’t anything to tell, Ma. It’s in the past.”

“I asked Elle,” his mother said.

“You what?”

“She said it was a miscommunication,” his mother continued.

Emmett barked out a laugh. Miscommunication. More like flat-out lie, he thought.

“You know, something’s different about her now,” Emmett said. “When I saw her in the hospital, I could see it right away.”

“How so?” The tilt of his mom’s head made that silver hair swish around her face. She tucked a piece behind her ear in a gesture more like a teenaged girl than a woman in her later fifties, but it was a move he’d always associate with his mother.

Emmett shook his head, breathing deep. He didn’t know why he’d brought it up. Maybe because it had been weighing on him. He shrugged. He didn’t have words for what he was thinking, which was ironic, since he was a writer.

“You need to talk to her, Emmett.”

How the hell did his mother do that? She knew just where his thoughts had gone, and she went right where he needed her not to go.

He didn’t answer.

“I think it could be good for both of you,” she said. “She has some good ideas. Just meet with her, once, for me?”

Emmett raised his head and stared into his mother’s blue eyes. They were brighter now. She looked better than she had in weeks. He didn’t want to disappoint her.

“Really, Ma? You’re breaking out the for me card?”

She smiled, her eyes wrinkled around the edges as she nodded her head.

Emmett let out a low growl. “Fine. For you,” he said sarcastically.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” His mother stood and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Thank you for staying and helping me. And believing in me.”

Emmett squeezed her back and nodded. His stomach lit with anger just thinking of meeting with Elle. He’d only seen her that one time at the hospital since he’d been home.

Except for her short hair, she looked exactly the same physically—tall and graceful, ice blue eyes, jet black hair, and skin so flawless it looked airbrushed. She’d been scouted by modeling agents in high school but Elle’s passion had always been dance. She was magic on the dance floor.

His mother released her hold. “Are you all right, Em?”

No.

“Yes,” he answered.

She eyed him suspiciously as she’d done when they were kids. Obviously believing he wouldn’t say more, her gaze cut to the watch on her wrist. “I told Elle you’d be there at three, so you better scoot.” She turned his chair away from the table and pushed on his shoulder.

“What? You set this up for today?” Emmett looked up at the ceiling, as if he might find patience there.

“Three o’clock with Elle. Shoo.” She pointed to the door.

“Ma,” Emmett growled.

She stood straight, her face void of any sign she’d been playing him this whole time.

“You have to stop with this matchmaking shit,” he said. “It isn’t going to happen with me and Elle.”

“Language, Emmett Daniel—”

“Sumner,” the both finished in unison.

“Yeah, that full name thing isn’t working on me this time, lady.” He stood.

“You might want to take a shower and do something with your hair before you head over to meet her.”

“Seriously, Ma? This isn’t a date. It’s not happening.” He’d never admit to his mother, or anyone, but Elle’s disappearing act had crushed him in high school, and it had destroyed him the second time she’d walked away. The time only he and Elle knew about. Emmett wouldn’t allow her to break his heart a third time.

His mother reached up and patted his cheek. “I might not know your history with Elle, honey, but I do know this. You two have a connection that doesn’t just go away. No matter how much you think you want it to.”

Her tone said his thinking was wrong.

“Business, Ma. This meeting is going to be about business.”

Her face fell and her hand slid from his face. “Okay, sweetie. Whatever you say.”

She turned to leave but Emmett saw the glimpse of a smirk. Heaven help the Sumner boys.