I decided that if there would ever be a time to do something about Camryn, it was then, and it was with that thought in mind that I called Mildred. She answered after a few rings and I held my breath for a beat before saying, “Mildred, it’s Tessa.”

I’d rehearsed my speech a million times and it sounded dumber each time I recited it, so I squeezed my eyes shut and hoped for the best. I was sitting in the most incredible office in Manhattan, an office that rivaled rich men in Wall Street. I was damn good at my job. I was also a damn good mother, sister, daughter, and girlfriend. There was nothing Mildred could say that would take away from any of my accomplishments. Those were the things I reminded myself of.

“Tessa?” I could hear the confusion in her voice. “Is everything all right? How are your parents? Freddie? I heard he was in an accident.”

“They’re fine. Everyone’s fine. I’m calling about Rowan.”

“Oh. What about him?” Her sudden icy tone gave me pause.

“You aren’t aware of this because he hasn’t spoken to you,” I started, “but he has a son. With me. And I know you’re Camryn’s number one supporter, but I figured I’d call you and let you know that she isn’t allowed anywhere near my son, and neither is anyone who wishes me, him, or Rowan any harm.”

“I . . . a son?” she whispered. “How . . . when . . . how old is he?”

“He’ll be four soon.”

“A four-year-old son, and I’m only just now hearing about this?” she asked, her voice growing louder.

“Like I said, I don’t want him near anyone who wishes any of us harm.”

“I’ve never wished you harm.”

“No, you just wished I’d go away so that your son could be with the evil bitch he married.”

“It was the right thing for him to do,” she said. “Camryn understood what was expected of her.”

“Camryn is a disgusting human being who’s put Rowan through the wringer with this divorce. She also showed up at my son’s daycare and scared the daylights out of him. This is a courtesy call. If you can’t meet me halfway, I’m going to assume you want nothing to do with your grandson. For the record, I don’t care one way or another. As far as I’m concerned, he has more than enough love in his life.”

“Does Alistair know?”

I rolled my eyes just as Chloe walked into my office with a folder in her hand and a huge smile on her face.

Medellin Fabrics signed, she mouthed with a thumbs-up. My smile was wide as I returned her thumbs-up enthusiastically.

“Alistair knows.”

“He told his father?” Mildred whispered.

“From what I understand, you had a choice—your son or Camryn, and you chose wrong. It was nice catching up. I have to go. I have a lot of work to get done today.”

I hung up before she could get another word in.

Later that night, when Rowan came over, I told him what I did. He stared at me blankly from across the kitchen island.

“How did you get her phone number?”

“Sam.”

He shook his head, still gaping. “Of course. Well, what did she say?”

“I hung up on her.”

“You hung up on my mother?”

I shrugged. “It was an impulsive move, I know.”

“That’s one way of putting it.” He chuckled. “That would explain the five phone calls I received and ignored from her today. I haven’t listened to the voice messages she left, but I can only assume they’re going to be very interesting.” He reached over and put his hand over mine. “Camryn called today.”

I took my hand from under his on instinct. “And?”

“And she apologized. She also said she hoped I was happy with my ‘crazy ass girlfriend,’” he air quoted. The way he said it made me laugh.

“That doesn’t sound like much of an insult coming from her.”

He scoffed. “There’s crazy and then there’s Camryn.”

“Right.” We stayed quiet for a moment before I asked, “Do you think she’ll leave us alone?”

“Yes. I really do. She also told me to apologize to you on her behalf.”

“That I don’t believe.”

“Why would I lie?” He walked around the island, stood behind me, and wrapped his arms around me, tucking his face into the crook of my neck.

“I filed a petition for a name change,” I said, “for Miles.”

Rowan pulled back, turned my chair to face him, and searched my eyes. “Really?”

“Really.” I smiled, bringing my hand up to tickle his beard. “He should have his dad’s name, don’t you think? Keep the Hawthorne family name going and all that.”

His eyes blurred with unshed tears as he nodded. “Thank you.” He wrapped his arms around me again, crushing me to him. “Thank you for this.”