“You may not be meddling, Mother, but the art of subtlety is still lost on you.” I chuckled and took a seat.
She peered at me over the frame of her glasses. “Dropping hints isn’t the same as meddling, dear, everyone knows that. Is Violet coming over here with your coffee? I need to talk to her about book club. I need to know what snacks she wants me to bring.”
“Oh! The buffalo chicken dip for sure, please. And I am still low-key freaking out about the whole thing.” Charlotte snapped her laptop closed. “Sorry, Cade, I had to get the rest of this chapter out. Hi!”
“Good morning, baby, and no apologies needed. I’m glad Adaline is finally talking to you.”
A rosy flush covered her cheeks. “Me too. She finally knows what she wants and is determined to get it. No more running away. We’re kind of living the same life right now.”
“That’s great, honey!” Mom wrapped her arm around Charlotte in a side hug. “It’s all about the characters, isn’t it? Once they tell you what they require, then you’re off!”
“Absolutely,” Charlotte answered, her eyes on me.
“I for one can’t wait for the next book.” Gram said as she sipped her coffee. She patted her paperback copy of Run for It to emphasize her point. “This girl knows her way around a love scene. Am I right?”
Charlotte turned bright red. I’d read her books, and she sure did. Some of my favorite scenes were like reading a memory. But I decided not to reply; she was embarrassed enough already.
“Here you go!” Violet plopped into the seat next to me then slid my order across the table. “I have about five minutes before the next wave hits. You wanted to ask me something, Mom?”
“Yes. I wanted to get a snack list for book club.”
“Margaritas and buffalo chicken dip? Charcuterie and wine? Canapes and cocktails? Upscale or down, Charlotte? We can do anything you want.”
“What do you usually do?”
“Get collectively drunk and gossip,” I answered for Violet. “Does the food really matter for that?”
“Like you don’t show up all eager and raring to go for every book club, Cade.” Gram rolled her eyes as she scolded me. “You know we talk plenty about books. But we also know how to have fun. You’ll be fine, Charlotte. Everyone already loves you, so don’t worry.”
“Gram is right, Charli. Expect to be fangirled. I gotta get back to work. Tell Mom everything you want, and we’ll make it happen.”
“Okay, will do.” She waited until Violet was out of earshot before announcing, “I have no idea what I want.”
“I’ll handle everything. You just show up looking fab.” Mom patted Charlotte’s shoulder. “You don’t need any more stress.”
“You got that right. Thanks, Dahlia. I appreciate your help so much.”
“Do you need to talk about anything? I’m here.” I offered, hoping she’d open up about the crash.
She shot me a look and sipped her coffee. “No thanks. I’ll be okay. Being here with your mom is inspiring.”
“Aww, I’m here for you any time, sweetheart. I’m so glad you’re back!”
“Charlotte, walk me out? I need to get going. Bye, Mom.”
“Bye, sweetie!” Gram called.
“We’ll watch your things, Charli.”
“Thank you.” She followed me out to my SUV. I had no reason to drag her out here other than I wanted to make out with her, and I also wanted my mother to continue not meddling in my relationship with Charlotte. If she saw me kiss her, she’d start meddling for sure. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.” I spun her against the side of the door and kissed her. “I like this skirt.” I ran my hand up the back of her thigh and grabbed a handful of her ass over her tights.
“Ooh!” she squealed. “I guess you’re not interested in keeping things between us a secret.” She laughed against my mouth and threw her arms around my neck.
I kissed her nose and grinned. “Nope, but I should stop feeling you up, even if you are wearing this conveniently long coat that hides my wandering hands." I dropped my head and kissed her neck while giving her ass one last squeeze. "I love your ass. I have always loved your ass. This ass at least sixty percent of why I married you.”
“Some things never change.” She giggled and tipped her head to the side, giving me more access to her neck. “And you know what neck kisses do to me, Cade, and we since can’t exactly go at it in the back of your SUV right now, you have to knock it off or I’m going to be hot and bothered all day.”
“Maybe I want to make you to miss me, Charli baby,” I whispered. “Maybe I want to leave you needing me.”
“Oh, you’re in a naughty mood, I see.” She slid her warm palm against my dick, and I grunted against her neck. “It’s a good thing you parked where we can’t be easily seen, or you’d have to arrest us both for indecent exposure or whatever law we’re currently breaking.”