“That doesn’t mean you can’t come home now. Nan is still available. She understands you broke things off because you were upset about Cherry.”
“Did you tell her that?” Now my hackles really are up.
“Only because it’s true. If you came back now, everything could be like it was before you left.”
It’s taking all my effort not to go off on her. I’m holding back because I know she’ll just shut down, and I want her to hear me for once. “Mom, I don’t want that life. It’s why I left.”
We’re back at my place, and I put her car in park. Fuck trying to reason with a crazy person. I hustle around to help her out. She moves at her own pace, and I exhale a little growl.
“I’m sorry I don’t move as fast as I used to,” she grumbles.
I don’t answer. I walk her to the top of the stairs then dash to my room to change into a dark gray tee while she gets herself settled on the couch. I offered her my bed, but she refused—something about not wanting to intrude. Irony.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” I grab the keys to my truck and lean down to kiss the top of her head. “Help yourself to anything.”
“Where are you going?” Her voice rises.
“I have to talk to Tabby.”
“Charles! Do not go over there!”
She’s still yelling, but I’m out the door and in my truck, again doing my best not to break all the rules of the road as I cover the distance between us.
When I finally get to Tabby’s place, the lights are off, but I see the glow of her computer screen in the living room. I throw the truck in park and jump out, jogging up to her door.
“Tabby?” I knock… a little too hard. “Tabby, it’s me. Open up.”
She says something on the other side, and the door opens fast, causing me to lean forward slightly. She’s standing in front of me in that same silk romper, but the jewelry is gone. Her feet are bare, and her long hair is gathered into a messy bun on her head with a pencil stuck through it. I know what that means.
“Sorry to bother you while you’re working.” I try giving her my signature grin.
Slender arms cross over her waist, and she’s not smiling. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a house guest?”
“Ahh, yeah. About that.” I rub my chin. “My mom can be a bit much.”
“Ya think?”
“She wanted to know why I like it here.” I wanted to show her my top reason. “I didn’t think it through.”
I wanted to see her so much tonight, I’d have done anything.
Dropping my arm off the doorjamb, I hesitate. I want to pull her to my chest and kiss her. I want to bury my face in her neck and inhale the sweet scent of her perfume. Somehow, I get the feeling that might not go over so well.
I clear my throat. “Anyway, I was curious about the job you mentioned. What’s that about?”
Her lips press together, and she frowns. “That’s none of your business.”
“It’s not? I thought we were going to those places together.” I motion between the two of us.
“That was all just pillow talk.”
“It was more than that.”
“Who’s Nan?” Her eyes flash.
Straightening, I clear my throat. “Nan is… Nancy Miller.”
“Why is she waiting for you?”