“Mom, you’re blowing this way out of proportion,” Brooklyn huffed, cutting her eyes at Nicole who was standing beside her. Nicole gave her a pity grimace that said, I feel your pain, but I’m glad she’s your mother, not mine.

“I’m sure he’s a nice boy,” Paula continued. “And I’m not discriminating against him because he’s blind.”

“Well, it certainly sounds like it,” Brooklyn cut in. “And the correct term is visually impaired.” She’d looked it up.

Paula let out a nervous laugh. “You’re missing the point, hon.”

“Okay, then what is the point? Dax is a great guy.”

“Have you thought about the responsibility you would take on, dealing with his … err … condition?”

“It was lunch at a café, Mother. I hardly think that constitutes a lifelong commitment.” Brooklyn’s temper was hotter than Vegas in the summer, and she felt like her head might explode. Few people could get her feathers ruffled like her mother. “You know, I really don’t appreciate Ramsey blabbing my business to the world.” She clenched her jaw. “The next time I see that jerk, I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind.”

“Now, don’t go blaming Ramsey,” Paula cooed. “It’s not his fault he happened to run into you on his lunch break.”

She grunted. “Run into me, huh? If felt more like stalking.”

“You know Ramsey’s law office is right next to the café.”

“Yeah, that’s what he said.”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Ramsey. He does well. He’s in line to become a partner.”

An unbidden laugh rose in Brooklyn’s throat. “Yes, you’ve told me a gazillion times. You know, there was a time when I wouldn’t have minded dating Ramsey, but the problem is it’s not just dating him. It’s like dating his mother and you too,” she spat. “I’m twenty-seven years old. I think I can manage my own love life.”

“Well, that’s just it, dear, your biological clock’s ticking. By the time I was twenty-seven, I’d been married to your father for seven years and had both you and Madison.”

“Yes, I’m well aware of that,” she countered, her patience wearing thinner than a strip of lace. Every time Brooklyn’s mother pulled the biological clock card, she felt like a baby-making machine on the brink of expiration.

“Melanie told me the other day that Ramsey wants kids.”

Brooklyn didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Melanie was Ramsey’s mother. “Well, maybe you should marry Ramsey, Mom. Have a few more kids to boss around.”

The silence on the other end let Brooklyn know she’d gone too far.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t have time to talk about this right now. I have a ton of orders that are waiting to go out.”

“Well, I hope you’ll consider the things I’ve said,” her mother snipped, still smarting from Brooklyn’s jab. “You have a great guy who’s crazy about you. He comes from a good family, and he’s got a stable career. What else could you ask for?”

Love. Fireworks. A thrilling, former racecar superstar that I’ve daydreamed about since high school with his strong jaw and tousled hair. Oh, and don’t forget his slow, confident smile that sets a parade of butterflies loose in my stomach. “Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, I really do—”

Her mother’s voice caught. “I—I just wish you’d listen to me. Save yourself a world of heartache. Guys like Ramsey don’t come along every day.”

Brooklyn frowned. Was her mother crying? Over Ramsey? This was getting weird.

“Will you just give Ramsey a chance? Go on a few more dates. See if anything develops.”

“I’ll think about it,” she finally said. At this point she would’ve said just about anything to end the conversation.

“There’s my girl,” her mother drawled. “Oh, I almost forgot. Your dad said to tell you hello.”

“Tell him I said hi,” she said mechanically. She thought … hoped the call was coming to a close, but then her mother laid another brick of guilt on her.

“Oh, did you have a chance to stop by and check on Madison?”

Brooklyn cringed. “No, sorry. It’s been crazy here. I’ve been going nonstop.”

“Madison really needs you right now.” Paula let out a heavy sigh. “I so wish I could be there to help. Maybe I’ll just have to talk to your dad, tell him that work stress or not, I’m going to Utah …”

“No, that’s not necessary. I’ll go and see her,” she inserted quickly. She didn’t want her mom here right now in her business. And no matter how much of a fight Brooklyn put up in the beginning, this is always how it went, her mother hounding her relentlessly, laying the guilt on so thick that Brooklyn finally broke down and did what she wanted.

Paula brightened. “Oh, I wish you would, honey. You just don’t know how much I appreciate it. Promise me you’ll go by there today.”

Brooklyn’s eyes widened. “Today might be pushing it, but I can get over there in the next couple of days.”

“Okay,” Paula said dejectedly. “Just please make sure you do.”

“I will,” she said through gritted teeth. Geez. The woman could pester the hind legs off a donkey.

“So … are you going out with the blind guy again?”

“His name is Dax.”

“What’s his last name, hon?”

Did she dare tell her mother? Once she divulged Dax’s name, Paula would do a web search so thorough it would make the NSA look like child’s play. And there was plenty of stuff on Dax. Pictures of him at Hollywood parties, starlets and models adorning his arms. “Um …”

“His name?” Paula demanded, making Brooklyn feel like she was ten again.

“Preston,” she squeaked. “Sorry, Mom. Gotta run. I hear a customer coming in.” It wasn’t true, but she couldn’t endure another minute of this conversation.

“Oh, okay. Bye. Love you.”

“Love you too.” She ended the call with a groan. “My mother’s impossible. Can you believe she expects me to trot over and check on Madison after what she did to me?”

“Yes, I believe it. And despite everything that happened, Madison is still your sister.”

“Yeah, lucky me,” Brooklyn said darkly. “And you heard that bit about Ramsey?”

“I heard enough to get the picture.” Nicole perched a hand on her hip, an amused expression flickering over her face. “If you ask me, it’s time to cut the umbilical cord.”

“Amen,” Brooklyn belted out, “and time to cut ties with Ramsey. Can you believe he told his mother about seeing me out with Dax, who in turn told my mother? Unbelievable.”

“This is getting juicier by the minute. How did Ramsey even know you were out with Dax? I didn’t catch that part of the conversation.”

“After Dax and I went to City Creek, we went to this café called Spitz. According to Ramsey, he was driving by, headed back to his office, when he saw me with Dax and Tucker, walking. He called a couple of times, but I didn’t answer. Then he showed up at the café.”

“Ooooh,” she cooed, her eyes widening. “What did Dax think about that?”

“I mean, he handled it pretty well, but I could tell he didn’t like it.”

Nicole gave her a probing look. “So, how are things between you and Dax?” There was a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I about died when he did that face-exploration thing. Talk about a hottie. He looks even better now than he did when we were in high school.”

“He is really good looking. And he’s great to be around.”

Nicole picked up a carnation and trimmed the leaves before placing it in a container. “How are you gonna break the news to Ramsey?”

Brooklyn’s eyes narrowed. “Ramsey and I aren’t an item.”

“Try telling him that.”

“Oh, I will. Trust me.”

“So, your mom’s not keen on you going out with a blind guy, huh?”

Brooklyn clipped the stem of a rose short for a boutonniere, then tightly wrapped floral tape around it before picking up the next rose and repeating the process. “My mom’s not keen on any aspect of my life that she can’t control,” she grumbled.

Nicole added several yellow gerbera daisies to her arrangement, then stepped back to admire her work. “As much as I hate to say it, your mother does make a good point.”

“What do you mean?” Brooklyn said, tightening her grip on the roll of floral tape in her hand.

“If you do end up with Dax, there are things you’ll have to consider.”

“Such as?”

“Well, he can’t just jump in a car and drive himself places. And his dog goes everywhere with him. Do you even like dogs?”

“Yes, Tucker’s great, and the driving thing’s no big deal. Dax seems to get around just fine. In fact, it’s amazing how well he’s adapted.”

“What does he do for a living, now that he’s not racing?”

Brooklyn thought for a minute. “I know he’s part owner of a racing company. And I’m sure he made a bundle from racing. If he invested it properly, he’s probably set. Living in Daybreak’s not cheap, so he must be doing all right.”

“Yeah … maybe.” Nicole went to the nearby sink and washed her hands, then dried them on a towel. She leaned against the counter and folded her arms, eyeing Brooklyn. “Have you asked him about his past? His lifestyle? From what I heard, Dax was quite the partier.”

For some strange reason this rubbed Brooklyn wrong, even though she knew it was true. “He’s not like that at all.”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “Not now, that he’s blind. I just think if you’re gonna have a relationship with Dax, then you need to talk about his history, you know? I read that he was tight with Cassidy Cline. Has he mentioned her? Is she still a part of his life?”

Brooklyn went cold. Crap. She’d not even thought about that. Dax seemed so interested in her, she just assumed he was available. “The topic hasn’t come up,” she huffed. It was bad enough to get the third degree from her mom, she didn’t need Nicole dishing it out too. Her forehead creased. “Why are you so quick to think the worst of Dax?”

“I’m not thinking the worst. Dax seems like a great guy, and I hate that he’s had such a hard time. I’m just looking out for you. I don’t wanna see you get hurt.”

Brooklyn pushed her hair from her face, eyes narrowing. “You’re the one that urged me to go to City Creek with him. You even took care of my orders, so I could go.”

“I know. You’re right. Maybe I’m overthinking this.”

“You’re darn right!” she shot back. “Good grief. We’re just having dinner, it’s not like I’m marrying him.” The day had started out so well, and now it was like this Charlie Brown thundercloud was looming over her head.

“Oh, so you’re having dinner with him? When?”

“Saturday night.”

Nicole cocked her head. “Really? That’s not like you.”

Irritation crawled up Brooklyn’s neck. “What’re you getting at?”

“You’re doing a huge wedding Saturday, meaning you’ll be so exhausted you’ll hardly be able to move. And yet, you’re having dinner with Dax?”

“Well, I have to eat. I might as well eat with him.”

Nicole chuckled. “Yeah, I suppose.” She gave Brooklyn a searching look. “I know you had it bad for Dax in high school. Are you sure this isn’t some sort of wish-fulfillment thing?”

“I’m a grown woman. This has nothing to do with high school,” she snapped.

“Are you sure?”

She lifted her chin. “Absolutely.”

Nicole’s expression grew troubled. “I just don’t wanna see ... You’re doing so well …” Her voice trailed off.

Brooklyn clenched the cutters and snipped the floral wire with a loud plink. “Just go ahead and say it,” she flung back. “You mean you don’t want me to fall apart again like I did after the Justin and Madison thing.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Their wedding threw you for a loop, which is totally understandable. But you worked through it, and you’re doing great. I just don’t want anything to set you back. That’s all.”

Nicole’s words cut because they were right on the mark. When Justin and Madison got married, Brooklyn spiraled into depression. She felt so betrayed. Mad at the world. For a solid week she couldn’t even make herself get out of bed. And a few times when Nicole came to check on her, Brooklyn was curled in a fetal position, bawling her guts out. No wonder Nicole was worried. The only thing that forced her to rejoin the world of the living was knowing her business would fail and she’d still be forced to pay back the start-up loan. Since then she’d simply thrown herself into work to drown out the pain. Being around Dax made her realize there was life after Justin—a chance to find new love. Was that so bad? Yes, she was super attracted to Dax. And yes, if they continued their relationship, there would be hurdles to overcome. But she’d face those when they reached them. What was she supposed to do? Cut herself off from any chance of happiness because she’d been hurt before? “Like I said earlier, it’s just dinner,” she said, forcing a laugh.

But Nicole wasn’t buying it. “Uh, huh. I saw the way you looked at Dax.”

Brooklyn couldn’t stop the goofy grin from spilling over her lips. “How?”

“You know, that euphoric expression, like you’d just gotten your first taste of chocolate.”

Her eyes went wide. “That’s not true.”

“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.” She shook her head. “Dinner,” Nicole muttered, laughing under her breath. “Trust me. This is a lot more than just dinner.”

“Whatever,” she said rolling her eyes, but a large part of her hoped Nicole was right.