“Some honesty for starters. What is it you really do?”
Ariel sighed. Torn between pissing off Hawk’s mom and keeping her cover, she decided to go with ambiguous but honest answers. “I’m a writer.”
“A reporter?” The contempt in her voice was staggering.
“No, a fiction writer, romantic suspense mostly.”
“Oh, that’s lovely,” Feather gushed.
The woman thawed so fast, Ariel couldn’t help but chuckle.
“We’ve had some of those yuppie reporters cozy up to one of the boys, try to get in and get the scoop on what goes around here before. So you’ll have to forgive me for my earlier response.”
“Are they insane?” Ariel asked, thinking about how serious Mayhem took their privacy.
Feather barked a laugh. “He landed a smart one.”
“We’re really not…anything.”
“You keep saying that, and I’m going to get offended on my son’s behalf. Is he not good enough for you?”
“What? No. I mean yes, yes he is. I just don’t believe he wants to be in a deeply committed relationship.”
“Honey none of them are ever looking for it. Given the way he damn near ripped Rayen’s throat out, I’d say he’s found it, regardless.”
Ariel ground her teeth and continued to peel.
“Did Ursula steal your voice, little mermaid?” Feather teased.
She snickered. “No, I’m just not sure what to tell you. What’s between Rayen and Hawk runs far deeper than me.”
“That is true, but I know what I saw. It’s a mother’s job to protect her children. If you’re just looking for a good time you need to let him know. I won’t have some long-legged mermaid coming in and breaking my boy’s heart. I’ll show you what a real witch looks like if that happens.”
The steel in her voice was damn frightening. It reminded her of Hawk. Maybe he got his scariness from both of his parents.
“No disrespect meant, ma’am. But I think whatever we decided to do or not do is between us. If you have an issue, you can take it up with Hawk. It’s not my place.”
“Good girl.”
Ariel set down her peeler and turned to see the woman’s
dark eyes filled to the brim with approval.
“Were you testing me?” she asked.
“Someone has to,” Feather said with a shrug.
I’m not sure how I feel about that. Clearly the den mother has returned to the roost. “Okay,” Ariel said turning back to continue her task.
“How long have you been writing?” Feather asked, dropping the personal inquisition about her connection to Hawk.
“Almost six years now.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it,” she said as they slipped into pleasant conversation.
“Hey, Mom, have you seen…” Hawk’s voice trailed off.