Page 66 of The Last Goodbye

“I appreciate that you’re here, and I know it means a lot to Jovi. I just don’t think you should be giving me credit for it, that’s all.” I shrugged.

“Well, I’d never met the woman before yesterday, and she said that she was your friend. So I assumed you had something to do with it, because she found me, not the other way around.” She shrugged back.

What the fuck was she even talking about?

“What woman are you referring to?” I asked, keeping my voice calm. I would not let her aggravate me today. Today was a good day. I wanted to savor it.

But this was the thing with my mother. Every move she made was always tied to some sort of drama. Now I was supposed to believe that some mysterious woman had helped her get here?

“Briar Sinclair. She told me she was a friend of yours.”

My head whipped in her direction. She wanted my attention, and she most definitely had it now.

“How exactly did Briar Sinclair help you get here?”

“Well, she got me a ticket, drove me to the airport, and booked me a hotel and a driver. I’d say she went above and beyond. She must be a good friend of yours, son. And she’s easy on the eyes, so I’m not surprised at all.”

I was actually stunned speechless by her words.

The dean of the university took to the mic, and everyone quieted.

I was looking forward and trying to listen, but my head was spinning.

Briar Sinclair was the reason my mother was here.

It made no sense at all.

But nothing about that woman made sense.

She was full of surprises, but this was by far the biggest one yet.

I forced myself to stay focused, to be present.

We clapped after he spoke, and we all sat eagerly at the edge of our seats until my sister moved forward in line toward the stage.

“Jovi Ann Bennett,” the speaker read out, and we were all on our feet cheering and shouting her name as people laughed around us.

She walked across the stage like the amazing woman she was. Shoulders back, hand waving at us with a big smile on her face. I moved past my mother into the aisle like a proud parent, taking a video of the moment.

My little sister had fucking done it, and I was proud as hell.

When I settled back in my seat, I glanced at my phone to make sure the video had recorded when a text popped up.

Briar

I hope graduation goes well. Congrats to your sister.

You’ve got some explaining to do.

Briar

How about you just enjoy the day.

She’d pulled off a miracle, and I was a bit speechless that Briar Sinclair had made this happen.

She’d essentially orchestrated everything, from getting my mother on the plane, to arranging the logistics, to making sure she actually made it to the ceremony.

My chest ached in an unfamiliar way.