Deadly Infatuation

Chapter 30

Lily

"Mom, you don't have to take my place at the shop. Suzanne and Callie can cope. They don't have any events to do today, so they'll both be able to run the floor together."

"I want to help, honey," my mom says soothingly as she runs her hands down my arms. "August is one of the busiest times at the shop, and I don't want them to be rushed off their feet."

I chew on the bottom of my lip as I toy with the idea of whether she should go. Suzanne assured me over the phone that she has everything under control and I want to believe her, yet a part of me worries Callie won't pull her weight and will leave most of the workload to Suzanne. Just the thought of this is making me sway toward letting Callie go even more. Her work ethic hasn't really improved since she started working for me, no matter my hopes of her doing so. I can also tell that Suzanne is tiring of it, and I don't want to risk her leaving because of it. She could easily retire like my mom has and I know she's only stayed on this long because of her close relationship with me and my mom.

If my damn headache would just disappear, I'd go down to the shop like normal to help, but even after taking some Tylenol earlier to shift it, it's barely relieved any of the pain away. I barely got any sleep last night because of it and there were a few times I worried I could throw up from the dizziness that comes with it. I guess the doctor was right that it's going to take a few days until I feel like my usual self.

"I don't know. I don't like the thought of you driving there alone."

I get that the possibility of something bad happening to my mom is low, yet I can't help but worry about her. My mind is in overdrive, wondering where Sarah is ever since the police told us earlier that she's been released. For all I know, she could be watching the house right now, and if she were to see my mom driving away, I don't know if she'd try something to hurt me in some way.

"Don't let that woman get into your head. I'll be perfectly fine, Lily. You don't need to worry about me."

"I can't help it. I just want you safe." I blow out a breath. "Sorry if I'm overreacting, Mom. I'm just stressed and I have no idea what to do."

"I know you're only wanting to look out for me, but I'll be fine."

I glance across the house to get a sense of what Max thinks of all this, but his back is to us as he makes us some coffee in the kitchen. He's been relatively quiet since the detectives left earlier and I can tell that something is on his mind. I know that all of this mess isn't great timing for him. He should be at his office right now, focusing on his business trip to Paris, not here looking after me instead. I doubt he'd complain or say anything about it himself, but I wouldn't blame him if he wants to leave.

My mom squeezes my hand again, bringing my attention back to her. "I'll park outside the shop and I'll have Suzanne waiting by the door for me if it calms your nerves."

"Okay," I concede. "Thank you for doing this, Mom."

"It's no trouble. You're my daughter and I want to help."

I wrap my arms around her and close my eyes, hoping that I won't regret letting her go. If anything were to happen to her because of me, I don't know what I'd do. Though my mom's right, I can't allow Sarah to get into my head and lead my life. If I do, then she wins.

As we break our embrace, Max walks into the living room with two steaming cups of coffee and he hands me one before wrapping his free arm around my waist. "I can have Johnson accompany you if you like?"

I rest my head against his arm, happy that he's also wanting to look out for my mom. My mom gives him a kind smile, but shakes her head. "That won't be necessary, dear. I'd be happier knowing that he is here guarding Lily," my mom responds, walking across the floor to grab her car keys out of the bowl. "I've already fed Milo and Bailey and they've had a run around in the yard, so they'll be good until lunchtime."