A woman’s voice drifted over, and the way she said it had a hint of knowing, like she’d seen everything we just did.
“Hello, Mom,” he said, his voice holding a touch of amusement now.
I shot him a mortified look before turning to her with a polite smile. She had the same dark hair and brown eyes as her son, the resemblance was unmistakeable. There were faint smile lines around her mouth and adorable crinkles at the corner of her eyes, the kind that came from laughing often.
“Is this the date you were telling me about?” she asked. Her eyes took in my Santa suit and she let out a soft laugh, but didn’t question it quite yet. I knew it was coming.This thing swallowed me whole and this wasn’t exactly a costume party.
My eyes shot to Cole’s again, those deep brown orbs begging me to understand and go along with the lie.
I had no idea what I was agreeing to, but he spoke before I could say a word. “This is my fiancée, actually. I was waiting to surprise you. Introduce yourself, honey.”
Fiancée?!
How did I walk out of one wedding and right into an engagement again?
“Oh, yeah,” I stumbled over the words. “My name is Aspen. Aspen Hollis.”
“Oh, Aspen! That’s a lovely name.” She smiled warmly. “Well, now that I know you exist, maybe you can help me convince my stubborn son that the holidays are important, and meant to be spent with family.”
It was said playfully, but I caught the pleading note beneath it.
“Mom, we talked about this,” he started, but she held up a hand and looked at me, then back at him.
“Cole, please consider coming to the estate for the holidays. It would make me so happy. Your dads are away on business, and you know how busy your brother and North can get.”
I had no idea who she was talking about, and I wasn’t about to chime in. Telling my boss that he should listen to his mother felt like a surefire way to end up without a job. I couldn’t risk losing anything else in my life at the moment.
Now I was the one giving him a pleading look, begging him to say something.
“What about your family, Aspen?” she asked quickly, not ready to give up the fight.
“I don’t really have one,” I admitted softly. “At least not around here. My parents are across the country, and they aren’t exactly a ‘home for the holidays’ kind of family. Once I turnedeighteen, we developed a call-once-a-year-and-check-in type of relationship.”
Her face was the picture of horror at my words. I barely knew this woman, but I could already tell she’d never tolerate that kind of distance from her own children.
“Cole,” she said sharply. “Surely, you’re not going to let her spend Christmas alone while you’re busy working.”
“Who said she’d be alone, Mom? She’ll be with me,” he reminded her.
I most definitely wouldnotbe with him. Apparently, I also wouldnotbe on the beach. I’d be at home alone, wishing I had a couple of cats to keep me company.
Cole picked up his glass and downed the last of his drink, frowning when he realized it was empty. It also just occured to me that I was still straddling her son. This moment couldn’t possibly get any worse.
How the hell did I go from leaving my cheating exes, to this?
“Cole, be a dear and go get your fiancée and me a drink,” his mom said dismissively. She wasn’t exactly letting this conversation go, but she was giving us a reprieve.
Cole sighed and gently nudged me off his lap. His fingers stayed on me as long as possible, almost reluctant to let me go.
“Another white wine, Mother?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, before looking at me. “What are you having, Aspen? They have some lovely holiday cocktails up there, if you haven’t tried them yet.”
“I haven’t. Can you just make sure they don’t use cherry in them? I’m allergic, remember, dear?”
“Of course,” he said, giving us both a nod before turning and walking away.
I watched him go, appreciating his perfectly fitted suit, and his ass in those tailored pants.
