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Liam's Pov
Dinner was smooth after that, with plenty of small talk and the occasional teasing jab from her about how I always look "dangerously good in a suit."
By the time dessert rolled around—a shared molten chocolate cake with espresso ice cream—she was back to her relaxed, satisfied self.
"You're going to do great at that new job," she said softly, breaking the cake with her fork. "Just… don't forget to breathe along the way."
I smiled, stealing a bit of the ice cream. "I'll breathe and I'll eat ice cream."
"Good," Eve murmured in my head. "Because the day you stop doing either, I'm staging an intervention."
Just as I was about to wave for the check, Mom slid a small, glossy black box across the table toward me. The weight of it alone told me this wasn't a scented candle or some random trinket.
"Open it," she said, her tone not asking but demanding.
I raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
"Yes. Now."
I flipped the lid open and instantly froze. Nestled in black velvet was a platinum Rolex Datejust—sunburst blue dial, diamond-set hour markers, fluted bezel catching the light like it had its own personal spotlight. The bracelet links gleamed, heavy and perfect, radiating that understated kind of wealth that doesn't shout—it purrs.
"Mom… this is—this is way too expensive."
She waved a hand like I'd just complained about free dessert. "You passed the bar, you're starting at the DA's office. It had to be special."
Eve's voice slid in with mock admiration. "Wow. Imagine being rich that your 'special' gift is something collectors drool over."
Before I could protest further, she took the watch out, reached over, and tugged at the clasp on my old one. "Off," she ordered.
I gave in with a sigh and let her slip it from my wrist. She fastened the new Rolex with careful precision, then sat back to admire it. Her smile turned downright smug.
"Perfect," she said softly. "You've completely overpowered the watch with your looks. It's just lucky to be on you."
I shook my head, smiling despite myself. "You're unbelievable."
Eve chuckled in my mind. "She's right though. The watch is definitely the sidekick in this pairing."
Dinner wound down after that—just the quiet comfort of shared dessert and the unspoken understanding that neither of us really wanted the night to end, but time stops for no one.
The valet brought the car around, a sleek black Mercedes that practically purred when I slid behind the wheel. Mom settled into the passenger seat, adjusting her scarf like she was about to star in a perfume commercial.
The city lights were sharp and gold against the dark as I eased out of the restaurant driveway. A few beats of quiet passed before I glanced over. "So… how are you doing, really? Real estate empire still thriving?"
She gave me that slow, satisfied smile that said of course. "Business is good. Closed on three luxury condos this month alone. And a beach house in Laguna."
Eve's voice snuck in with a light scoff. "Oh, you know, just the usual—casually selling homes worth more than most people's entire life earnings."
I smirked to myself and nodded at Mom. "Glad to hear it. And what about your vacation? You were in Italy last month, right?"
Her eyes lit up. "Lake Como. It was beautiful—warm sun, perfect wine, and the kind of pasta that makes you question why you ever eat anywhere else." She sighed. "I stayed in this villa right on the water. Morning espresso with that view… I could live there forever."
Eve hummed in my head. "Translation: she's already looking at properties there."
I laughed under my breath. "You already browsing Italian listings?"
She didn't even deny it—just smiled knowingly.
We hit a red light, and I glanced at her sideways. "And… any love life updates? Or is this a strictly-business-and-travel chapter?"
She gave me a sly look. "Curious, are we?"
"I mean, you've been married four times—"
"Five," she corrected smoothly, like that somehow made it sound better.
"Five," I repeated with a grin. "And I've always said, I don't care as long as you're happy. So… anyone special?"
She tapped her manicured nails on the armrest, pretending to consider. "There's someone I met in Italy. He's… interesting. Wealthy. Charming."
Eve piped up immediately. "Rich, charming, and probably owns at least one questionable boat."
I bit back a laugh and asked, "And? Is this 'someone' a potential husband number six?"
Her smile turned mischievous. "Too early to tell. But I like him. And no, he doesn't live in this country, so you can unclench."
I shrugged. "I wasn't clenching. You know I don't judge you for this stuff. If you're happy, I'm happy."
That earned me a softer smile, one that wasn't all glitter and sharp edges. "You've always been like that, Liam. You let people live without making them feel guilty for it."
Eve's voice softened too. "She's right, you know. You let people breathe."
The rest of the drive was easy—her telling me about a charity gala she was planning, me listening while Eve occasionally threw in running commentary about how my mother could probably convince a bank to hand her its vault "just for the thrill of it."
By the time we rolled into her driveway, it felt like the evening had been exactly what both of us needed—her to talk, me to listen, and Eve to make sure neither of us took ourselves too seriously.
We rolled up to the front of her house, the driveway lights washing the sleek lines of the Benz in a soft glow. I shifted into park but didn't kill the engine yet.
Mom unclipped her seatbelt, but instead of opening the door, she turned toward me. "Tomorrow, I'll come to your place at four. We'll have plenty of time before your nine o'clock flight."
I opened my mouth to protest. "Mom, you don't have to—"
"Liam." Her tone had that warm but immovable steel in it. "Let me do this."
Eve's voice slid in, amused. "Translation: don't even try to argue, golden boy. You've got as much of a chance as a paper straw in a hurricane."
I sighed, half-laughing. "Fine, but only because it'll save me an Uber tomorrow."
Her smile softened. "Good. Now, thank you for tonight. You made it special." I grinned. "Pretty sure the platinum Rolex did most of the work there."
She waved it off like it was nothing. "The watch is just an accessory. You're the event."
Eve hummed in mock admiration. "Your mom could sell bottled tap water as 'liquid luxury.'"
I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Drive safe—oh wait, I'm driving. You just… walk safe to your door."
She laughed, stepping out into the night air, her perfume lingering in the cabin. She gave me one last look before heading toward her front steps. "Four o'clock. Don't make me ring twice."
I shook my head, smiling to myself as I pulled away from the curb. The Mercedes purred under my hands, and for a moment, the night felt easy.
Eve broke the silence. "So, you've got the car for 24 hrs, a watch, and a mother who will show up tomorrow whether you like it or not. Not a bad score for one dinner."
I chuckled. "Guess so."
And with that, I headed back to my apartment, the city sliding past in streaks of light, tomorrow's trip hovering quietly at the edges of my mind.
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