Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Little did we know what a battle that was going to be.
“Pretty sure Matthew is keeping you plenty busy, anyway.” I arched a brow.
My mom had gone and fallen in love, and the guy was over there constantly.
My mother was a knockout.
Her hair was thick and black, and she wore it in a long bob around her defined face. She had this vibrancy about her that glowed. But make no mistake—she wasn’t up for taking anyone’s shit, either.
She’d been through hell and back when I was young, and she wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
With a giggle, she waved me off. “Pssh. He’s no replacement for you, and for the record, just because you’re my only son doesn’t mean you’re not still my favorite. Accept it.”
Casually, she stomped off her boots on the rug. It sent her hair swishing around her shoulders, and her eyes that were the same color as mine danced with love as she peered over at me.
“Fine. I’m your favorite.” A tweak of a grin hit the edge of my mouth.
“Busy week?” she asked, seriously that time, staring at me in question.
No doubt she’d taken note of the anxiety that had to be zapping from my skin in strikes of chaotic colors.
I rubbed a hand over my beard. “Somethin’ like that.”
It was just then that the shower turned off in the guest bathroom, and with the stark change in noise level, my mom realized we weren’t alone.
“Oh.” There was a slight furrow to her brow, then the dent got compounded by a bolt of glee that lit in her eyes.
Shit.
Of course, she was going to jump to conclusions.
Hanging onto a hope that was never going to come to fruition.
I hated she was going to have to believe this arrangement with Tessa was something it was not, but there was no other way. That didn’t mean I had a clue how to deal with it, and panic sped through my veins when the bathroom door creaked open.
“I’ll be ready in ten, Milo!” Tessa called before she appeared at the opening of the hall.
Wrapped in a black terrycloth robe, her red hair as wet as could be.
Tessa was this natural, stunning beauty.
The sight of her did just that.
Stunned me.
My tongue locked in my mouth, and my stomach fisted in want.
Shit.
I had to get this attraction under control.
Her blue eyes rounded when she saw we had company, and she shifted on her feet like she was standing in hot coals, stammering, “O-o-oh, hi.”
Taking a step forward, Tessa pinned a bright smile on her face that was only partially faked. Her freckles sparked in the sunlight that slanted in through the windows, and I could feel her discomfort coming off her in waves.
She swallowed, forcing back the agitation. “You must be Milo’s mom.”
My mom’s attention swung to me in pure speculation.
I didn’t have women at my place.
Not ever.
And certainly not ones soaking wet and wearing only a robe.
When I didn’t say anything, she returned her gaze to Tessa. “I am.”
Tessa’s smile grew sincere. “I am not shocked. Seriously, he looks just like you, and believe me, that is about the highest compliment I could pay you. Have you seen your son?”
She sent me a gentle yet ribbing grin.
Warmth radiated from her spirit.
This girl so kind.
She had a way of making the people around her feel welcome.
Important.
I’d seen her do it a hundred times at the club, not to mention the times I’d hung out with the Lawsons.
The woman shining her light.
Making the world better just by being in it.
Friendly laughter rippled from my mom. “He’s about as handsome as they come, isn’t he?”
Two of them.
Now I was in trouble.
“Oh, yeah,” Tessa agreed. “Good DNA.”
My mom’s eyes were wide when she looked over at me. “I like this girl.”
In an instant, Tessa came rushing from the hall. “I’m Tessa, and it’s so great to meet you.”
The warmth Tessa exuded also made her a smidge erratic.
She was nothing but a streak of joy and excitement as she rushed my mom, like my mother’s statement had given her the go.
She opened her arms and wrapped my mom in them, swaying her back and forth and making a bunch of squealing noises. “I knew you were going to be amazing.”
My mom laughed before she pulled back a fraction so she could look at Tessa. “Is that so?”
Mom’s voice was soft curiosity and a slow thrill.
Something I could feel climbing from her spirit.
It made me itchy.
“Well, your son is crazy amazing, so I figured you had to be, too.”
“That he is.”
They both looked at me.
I fidgeted, antsy as fuck.
Tessa shifted to take my mom by both hands, and she looked her up and down. “How are you so gorgeous?”
“Okay, I really like this girl,” Mom said, voice a sweet tease, gaze speaking in silent code that shouted, Oh, you snagged yourself a good one.