He didn’t know if it was Audrey’s infectious enthusiasm for all things wedding or because he was genuinely looking forward to Saturday or because he was regularly getting the best sex he’d ever had, with the best woman he’d ever known. Clarke had the distinct feeling that nothing could bring him down. Least of all his meddling mother.

Clarke grinned and helped himself to a sip of her wine, deeming it too oaky for his taste and picking up the menu to select a glass of red instead. “Dad didn’t win shit,” Clarke said.

“Lovely language, son,” she said mildly. “And I’d say he most certainly did win. He got his way, didn’t he? I bet on Elizabeth. He bet on Audrey, probably to spite me. And I confess, I didn’t think he had it in him, to put his precious York on the line just to beat me. Nor did I think you’d go for it.”

“Wait,” Clarke said, laughing, and tossed the menu aside. “You honestly think I’m getting married on Saturday because I want the company?”

“Don’t you?”

“Sure, of course, but not like that,” Clarke said, a little offended by the notion that he’d get married simply to get a company or that he’d get a company simply because he got married.

“Then how do you want it?”

“Handed over because I’ve earned it,” Clarke said. “I’ve worked my ass off for that company, Mom. I know you’re pissed that I didn’t become a lawyer, but surely even you can see that.”

“I’m not pissed that you didn’t become a lawyer,” she said after a sip of wine. “I’ve only ever wanted you to apply yourself, to reach your potential.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, as always,” he muttered, picking up the wine menu once more.

“You haven’t.”

His head snapped up. “I’m sorry. That sounded suspiciously like a compliment.”

Linda sighed. “You never make anything easy on me, do you?”

“Make what easy? You asked me to lunch. I said yes. So far I’ve gotten lectured about not putting my napkin in my lap fast enough and for marrying someone other than the woman you picked out for me, and I’m making things difficult for you?”

“I’m trying to apologize,” Linda said stiffly.

Clarke sat back in his chair. “Wow. That’s… new.”

“Well, I haven’t had much cause to in the past,” she said, smoothing out the white tablecloth with her fingers. “But I can admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong about Elizabeth.”

“Wrong about her being the right woman for me or wrong about getting involved in my love life?”

“Both, I suppose.”

“Wow,” Clarke said again, genuinely at a loss for words. He racked his brain, trying to remember his mother ever apologizing. He came up blank.

“Though I would like to state—”