Halfway through the meal, her mom turns to me with a smile that's far too knowing."So, Gage, what is it exactly that you do?"
"I'm a professor," I say."Business and economics, mostly."
"At the university?That's impressive.How did you two meet?"
Skye hesitates just a second too long.I jump in."Carter is actually a good friend of mine, so we crossed paths once he and Gemma got engaged."
I doubt Skye has told her mom about Club Red, no matter how close they seem, and she probably should have talked about what we'd say before we got here, but this version is as close to the truth as we can get.
Her mom smiles."And what are your plans, Gage?I mean with Skye.Where do you see this going?"
I choke slightly on my wine, caught off guard.Before I can answer, she tilts her head and adds, "And how do you plan on protecting her, considering you're her professor?"
My fork clinks against my plate."You...you told her?"
Skye gives me a sheepish look."She's my mom.I trust her."
Her mom watches me closely.I clear my throat."I didn't know she had told you.But I respect your daughter deeply.I'm doing everything I can to make sure we don't jeopardize anything for her.Her future comes first."
Her mom nods."Good answer.But let me tell you this.Skye's had enough men in her life letting her down.If you're going to be in her life, be all in."
"I am," I say, without hesitation."Completely."
She studies me for a long moment, then smiles."Then you're welcome at this table.Every Thursday, no excuses."
Skye reaches under the table and squeezes my hand.That simple touch says everything.
The drive home is quieter, but it's the comfortable kind.Skye's fingers are laced with mine, her head resting lightly against the seat.
"Tonight was good," she says softly."I haven't seen my mom that happy in a while."
"She's wonderful.And she clearly adores you."
Skye smiles."She's all I had for a long time.It means a lot that you showed up for this."
I lift her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles again."I'll keep showing up.For both of you."
When we pull into my driveway, I walk her over to her guest house and to the door.The air is cool, her hand warm in mine.
She pauses at the threshold, fingers toying with the keys."Do you want to come in?Just for a little while?"
I lean closer, brushing a kiss to her temple."Yeah.I'd like that."
She opens the door and we step inside.We curl up on the couch, and she rests her head on my chest.
"You were good with her," she says.
"She's good people, and she reminds me of you."
Her fingers trail along my shirt."You didn't have to say yes to dinner.Especially every week.It's a lot when she isn't having a good day, like she had today."
"I did," I say simply."Because it's you."
She lifts her head, eyes searching mine."You're really all in, aren't you?"
I cup her face, brushing my thumb across her cheek."Skye, I fell before I even realized I was falling.I'm not going anywhere."
And she believes me.
