Only One Night (Only One 3)

I look at Jaxon to see how he reacts, but he couldn't care less. He slips on his running shoes and opens the door. “Go,” I say to him when he just looks at me, and I make the mistake of looking up at him, and he bends his head again to kiss me.

I watch him walk out and then turn to look at his mother. “I told him not to kiss me in front of you,” I tell her, and she laughs.

“It’s funny that you think he will listen to you,” she says as she turns on the water in the sink and fills it. “I have never seen him like that before.” She grabs some Tupperware to pack the leftovers. “When he called to tell me about Murielle, I was not shocked per se. God knows it was a long time coming. I was more scared for him.” She starts saying while she rinses the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. “Scared he wouldn’t have anyone here in his corner.”

“I’ll always be in his corner,” I tell her. “I know we just met, and I know it’s not the most conventional way to meet, so I can just imagine what went through your head.” My mouth is literally having diarrhea and won’t stop. “Who gets involved with a married man? How can someone do that?” I finally place the last plate on the counter. “When I found out he was married . . .” I shake my head, and she puts her hand on mine.

“You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone.” She smiles. “Anyone. Do you know that I used to talk to my son monthly? Every thirty days, he would call, or I would call, and it was so tense. I didn’t want to be rude and not ask about Murielle, and he didn’t want to be rude by not telling me anything. For five years. It was the hardest thing in the world as a mother to watch your kid go through so much and not say anything. But now.” She taps my hand before going back to washing the plates. “Now he has light in his eyes. His shoulders aren’t slumped, and he stopped making excuses.”

“I don’t understand,” I tell her.

“We would have a family gathering, and I would invite him, knowing that she didn’t want to come, and he would have to make an excuse. His father was over it and was ready to fly out here, but I wouldn’t let him. I had a lifeline with him, and I would not cut it. So I would give him the invitations, and he would try to let me down slowly. He did come a couple of times, but each time was without her. It put a strain on us all.”

“I’m so sorry,” I say, and she just smiles.

“I see it now,” she says, looking at me. “When I saw you, I could see why Manning would be drawn to you. You’re gorgeous, but you are genuinely a nice person.” She looks down now. “It’s about time someone put my son first.”

I don’t say anything to her as I clean up the kitchen. “I’m going to miss them,” she says, looking around when we finish as we sit down with another piece of cake. “After being here with them for two weeks.”

“Well, I think you’ll just have to visit more,” I tell her. “Nothing will stop you now.”

She smiles at me, and we both hear the front door open and close and then see Manning walking in. He sits down in the empty chair beside me. “Did it go okay?”

“As good as it could go,” he says, leaning over and kissing me. “I get him on Wednesday for dinner and then back on Friday.”

“He’ll be okay,” Rachel says. “Now,” she says, getting up, “I’m going up to shower and pack. I get to sleep in my own bed tomorrow.”

“We’ll be here to pick you up tomorrow at ten,” Manning tells her, and she smiles at me.

“It was a pleasure to finally meet you,” I say and look up at Manning. “You did good with this one,” I say, making her laugh. I look over at him, seeing him smile. “What are you smiling about?”

“Tonight, I had dinner with my woman and my son. My mother sat at the same table. It doesn’t get better than that.” I cut a piece of cake and hold it out for him. “Actually, it’s going to be better.” I raise my eyebrow. “I’m going to go to sleep beside you, and I don’t have to run out of your bed.”

“I can kick you out of my bed.” I wave the fork in front of him.

“I’d like to see you try.” He laughs, leaning over and kissing me senseless.