"What are you talking about? Are you saying Lance is just chasing after Claire all by himself?" The idea felt ridiculous to Octavia. Claire clearly didn't like her son, but her son was hung up on Claire? She just couldn't buy it.
"Lance said so himself. Claire doesn't like him." Cindy knew she was lying, but she figured Octavia wouldn't know the difference. She had just noticed the way Claire always seemed to avoid Lance. It didn't take a genius to tell Claire wasn't interested. Even without her getting involved, Cindy was sure Lance would never get what he wanted. That thought, oddly, made her feel a little better.
"I understand, honey. For now, just do your best with your studies, alright? Let me handle everything else." Octavia's words were soothing, full of quiet promise. "T’II make sure you get that college recommendation spot, okay?" Cindy relaxed a little after hearing her mom say that. Still, after a moment of chewing on her lip, she admitted softly, "Mom, I don't want Claire's spot anymore."
Octavia stopped in her tracks. "Why not? Did Claire say something to you?" Otherwise, why would Cindy suddenly change her mind? Who would just turn down a surefire path to their dream school?
"It was never really mine to begin with. If we force Claire to give it up for me, it just wouldn't be fair." Cindy's voice was quiet but firm.
Octavia frowned, her voice a little sharper now. "How is it unfair? Claire owes you. Eighteen years, Cindy. That's how long she's been living your life. A college recommendation is nothing compared to what she should give back." She reached out, taking Cindy's hand for emphasis. “If she offers it, you have every right to accept, no hesitation. Don't worry about the rest. Just leave it to me.”
Cindy only nodded, but deep down, she knew it wouldn't be that easy. Unless Claire really did want to marry Lance and was using the recommendation as some kind of trade... but that would never happen. Cindy just couldn't imagine Claire ever giving in like that.
Once she'd calmed Cindy down, Octavia left the house and headed for Claire's place. She waited outside Claire's apartment until she saw her returning from her evening class.
"Were you waiting for me?" Claire asked right away, recognizing Octavia immediately.
"Can we go up to your place and talk for a bit?” Octavia's voice was surprisingly gentle.
Claire hesitated. For a second, she considered saying yes, but then remembered why Octavia was probably here. Better to keep things neutral. "Let's just go to a coffee shop," she suggested.
They walked together and ended up
in a cozy little café nearby. As soon
1.n
as they sat down, Claire looked at Octavia Do you mind if I order. something to eat? I'm starving after class. If Octavia hadn't stopped her outside, she would have gone home and eaten anyway. Claire had never cared much about diet trends. She was a senior getting throughreach exhausting day on sheer willpower and calories. Growing teens needed fuel.
"Go ahead Octavia said. Part of her wanted to launch into a lecture but quickly caught herself. Claire wasn't her daughter anymore. Whatever she ate however she looked it was none of Octavia's business now.
Claire ordered something and picked at her food, watching Octavia expectantly.
Octavia got right to the point. "I don't want you and Lance to be together."
Claire blinked, nearly choking on the bite she just took. That was blunt, even for Octavia. "Did he say we were together?" she shot back, eyes narrowing.
“No, he didn't. But I know Lance. You do too," Octavia replied, frowning. “I just want my stance to be clear, so there's no confusion later."
"Lance is your brother. Maybe you two were never close, but you can't ignore that fact." Octavia's voice was calm but firm. "I can't accept the idea of the girl adopted as my daughter suddenly becoming my daughter-in-law. And I don't think society will understand it either."
By 'society,' Octavia meant their friends, their whole inner circle. "The James family does business with a lot of people. I won't risk Latham being embarrassed in front of everyone he knows."