Managing Macie *ON HOLD*

Chapter 6

Macie

"I mean, who chooses such boring colors for a party?" I asked my mom as we worked together in the kitchen. "It's so dull."

"It could be classy," Mom replied with a shrug.

"So could black and silver or black and gold. Or literally anything else."

"Well, when you throw a party, black and gold it will be."

I sighed and went back to work on the samples I was making for Ethan. They came out of the oven an hour and a half ago and have been in the fridge for a good chunk of that time. Now, it's time to decorate. My favorite part!

I dipped the strawberries into white chocolate first, so the chocolate could harden in the fridge, and then I moved onto the more fun desserts. The mini cheesecakes each got a dollop of frosting with a blackberry on top, the truffles were decorated with an assortment of different colored chocolates and toppings, and then came my cupcakes. They were vanilla—even though everyone knows chocolate is better—in a black paper holder, with black frosting and white edible pearls on top. They looked amazing.

Once all of that was done, I took the strawberries back out of the fridge and drizzled some chocolate that I'd dyed black on top. I let them chill some more and then tried one of each dessert before putting the samples into travel safe containers to take to Ethan.

"Alright, I'm heading over to Ethan's," I told Mom.

"Will you take my stuff with you?" She asked.

I agreed—after all, she had let me borrow her kitchen—and she packaged her things into containers as well. She made olive and mozzarella crostinis and a mini charcuterie board that would cover an entire table at the party.

Mom helped me take the food outside to where Dad's driver was waiting. I had too much to carry with me to take a cab so I reluctantly agreed when Mom offered. In all honesty I was happy to take the car, grateful even, I just didn't want Mom knowing that and thinking I needed the perks of money. Cause I clearly told them I didn't. Several times.

Once everything was secured, I got in the car with all of the food and off we went to Ethan's office.

***

Ethan

I sat in my office, massaging my temple. My mother had decided to show up unannounced, and as much as I love her, she is a handful. At least she didn't bring any girls to throw at me this time.

"Mother, I wasn't expecting you," I said as she walked into my office.

"Yes, well if I told you I was coming, you'd find a way to get out of it."

I kept silent. She wasn't wrong.

"So, what can I do for you Mother?"

"I just want to spend time with my son," she stated. I raised a brow and she sighed. "I just wanted to see how you are doing, what you are up to."

"You mean, you wanted to see if I am dating anyone." We both knew it was the truth.

"Is it so wrong to want to be involved in my son's life?"

"My love life is none of your business!" I exclaimed, getting up from my chair. God, she was ridiculous.

I rubbed a hand down my face. I am so tired of this back and forth with my mother. I know she means well, but she needs to understand that I don't want a relationship and her meddling just makes me want one less.

"I just want you to be happy!"

"Why do I need a girlfriend to be happy?" I shouted, fed up.

"Because otherwise you will be all alone!"

I sighed. I should've known what this was all about. After my father died, my mother was never the same. She tried to hide it, but I could tell she wasn't happy. I should've done something to help her. I mean, it's been twelve years and she hasn't been on a single date. And I haven't exactly been reaching out.

"Look, I'm sorry Mom," I said, sitting back down into my chair. "I know you want me to be happy, but I don't need a girlfriend to be happy."

"Why won't you just try dating someone?"

"How do you know I'm not?" I asked. Maybe I can have an imaginary girlfriend for a while to satisfy her. And when she wants to meet her, we will conveniently break up.

"You just said you don't need a girlfriend to be happy."

"I was just proving a point."

"So you have a girlfriend?"

I was about to answer when my door burst open and Macie strutted in holding a box of desserts. She set the box down on my desk and stuck out her hand to my mother.

"Hello Mrs. Miller," she said, shaking my mother's hand. "I'm Macie Cole."

"Ethan's girlfriend."