He’d been taking a sip of water when she asked and choked on it.
“Sorry.”
“No, you’re not, you little snot.” Liam wiped his mouth with a huge hand scarred from too many hot engines and hot grease spills. “For your information, your aunt was it for me until Sophie. Not saying I was a monk, but I never could see anyone in that light. I just had casual girlfriends.”
“You mean strippers and hos.”
“Rena. Minerva. Jackson. Watch your mouth.”
She bit back a grin. “Hey, I’m just repeating what Del says.”
“My daughter is not too pregnant to spank,” he muttered. “But that was a long time ago. I’ve matured since then. I love Sophie.”
She sighed. “I know you do. You’re getting married on Valentine’s Day. That’s so awesome.” She put her elbow on the table, her chin in her hand, and pestered him for details about his wedding in just a few short weeks.
Liam looked thrilled about his pending nuptials. Rena felt so happy for him. She couldn’t imagine mourning a man for more than thirty years, the way he’d grieved his wife. Nowthatwas a love written about in the books. She just wanted to find someone she could like for more than a few months.
A lie. She wanted a true love like his, but at this point she was settling for a date with Axel.
And again I’m thinking of him. What is wrong with me?
“What’s that look?” her uncle asked.
Saved from answering by the return of her mother and Sophie carrying a tray of coffee and cake, she let her mother ramble about how wonderful Dave was. But it was what her mother didn’t say that made Rena take notice. A glance at Uncle Liam showed he’d caught the same slip.
“So let me get this straight, Mom. Dave has an income from his retirement in addition to his contractor job. You met him at the hospital, where he wasn’t coming off a high or from being in a fight?”
Her mother scowled. “Rena.”
“And he isn’t currently living here?” Rena waited for the other shoe to drop. With her mother, it always did. Now came her mama-drama.
“Rena, I would say that’s insulting, but I know I’ve given you just cause in the past.” Her mom sighed.
Liam stared, his eyes narrowed. “Who are you, and what have you done with Caroline Jackson?”
Sophie covered her eyes. “I can dress him up, but I can’t take him out.”
Rena snickered and met her uncle’s amused gaze. “That’s the truth, but he’s got a point. Mom, I don’t mean to make you feel bad. I’m just surprised. Dave seems nice.” Much nicer than he’d been at first impression. He didn’t seem to have any flaws, unless… “Is he married?”
Her mother glanced away and back again. “Technically—”
Rena groaned. “Oh, Mom. You know this never ends well.”
Liam shot Sophie a look as if to sayI told you so.
Caroline leaned forward and pointed at all three of them. “If you must know, Dave is legally separated. We met when he was separated, so don’t accuse me of breaking up a marriage.”
“Mom, how do you know he’s no longer with his wife? She might think they’re still happily married.”
Her mother raised her chin. “It’s called trust, young lady. Dave isn’t scamming me for money, a place to live, or to get into my pants.”
“Nice, Mom.” God, her mother still talked about sex. And she knew her mom had to be having it. Ew.
“My point, Ms. Virgin Ears, is that Dave and I have been honest with each other. We’re friends first, and neither of us is rushing into this relationship.”
Just like you haven’t rushed into any of the other relationships with married, divorced, or damaged men in your life.Rena felt sad for her mother, a woman who wanted so desperately to be loved that she often took anyone who expressed an interest.
And that, right there, was why Rena always tried so hard to find men who weren’t like that. They had jobs. They didn’t have girlfriends or wives. They didn’t do drugs or drink to excess.
