I’d made the mistake of taking her call, perhaps because of the euphoric state I was in. Jace and I had just scheduled my visit back to Fever Falls, and unlike so many other times, it wasn’t business related, but because we wanted to spend more time together. Now I sat in my office, looking out over the various condo and apartment buildings, cringing at my mother’s request. It was something I’d been trying to avoid, though it was inevitable. The more time we spent together, the more I wanted him around. Jace had surprised the fuck out of me, in the best sort ofways.
“Serena, you’ll befine.”
“Oh, come on, Dax. You expect me to just read about the two of you onGlitz & Glamor Twitter? These reporters keep asking for a comment from me. And what about interviews? I can’t just sit around and donothing.”
“As we discussed, you won’t sayanything.” My words were severe, but I didn’t care because she needed to understand that we weren’t her meal ticket to her next job. “You haven’t said anything to anyone,right?”
“Of course not! I wouldn’t dothat.”
“Youpromised.”
“What if they want to interview me, though? You know I’m still a TVicon.”
I rolled my eyes. “Serena…”
“Well, my promise might waver if I can’t even meethim.”
Igrumbled.
“Dax, I’ve never met anyone you’ve been interestedin.”
“Because I’ve never been interested inanyone.”
“Which is why I should get to meet this Jace Kruse. I’ll be good. Just let me have this.Please.”
As always, Serena had a way of forcing me to let my guard down. As much of a problem as she’d been throughout my childhood, she was my mother, and despite her struggles, she had done her best to remain a part of mylife.
“I’m going to visit him next week, so if you’re freethen.”
“What day? I’ll bethere.”
I was hoping the last-minute nature of the visit would make it difficult for her, but it was evident by the way she said it that she had every intention of meeting Jace sooner rather thanlater.
“I’ll keep youposted.”
“Oh, I’m so excited. Thank you, DaxyBoo.”
I groaned, and as soon as she hung up, I checked my messages and saw that Jace hadtexted.
Mac wanted me to let you know he misses you, and I guess I’m missing you sometoo. :)
The way his message warmed my heart was more gratifying than it should have been. I didn’t fight it, the way I had sometimes. I couldn’t deny that I wanted to see him again, and not just because we had the hottest sex whenever we got together, but because I enjoyed chatting with him about his week, his family, his life. I wanted to catch up with him and find out what I’d missed even in the short time we’d beenapart.
I texted him back:Hope you’re ready to meet mymother.
I would have thought it weird or too soon, but considering I’d met his mom right when Jace and I started chatting, it was almost longoverdue.
His reply came quickly:Really?!
I could tell by the emotion it stirred, eagerness and exhilaration, that we were in serioustrouble.
But as with every other decision I’d made, I embraced it because if trouble meant getting to spend more time with him, I was ready for a trainwreck.
32
Jace
As I helpedNance prepare the meal for when Dax and his mom arrived, I was practically skipping around the kitchen fromexcitement.
