“I flew in. I have a key—I’ve never used it before. I guess I should have called first, but honestly, I couldn’t think about anything but getting to you and Paxton.” Tears trembled in her eyes. “You needed to know immediately.”
Based on her red-rimmed eyes, I realized she’d also needed to escape Mr. Naese. I swallowed as I looked at the women surrounding us. I knew from them and from Pax that he’d told both his parents not to contact him. I also knew Rosemary was a kind, loving woman—the type of mother I’d fantasized about for years. My instinct was to comfort her, so I rose. She wrapped me in one of those big hugs I’d missed very much. I inhaled her soft, floral scent and closed my eyes. Now, finally, after so many years, I felt like I was home.
“Missed you, my sweet darling,” she said against the crown of my head. “Oh, how I’ve missed you.” Her voice warbled. “Damn the man for making me think… Well, he was wrong, and you’re here. Thank goodness.”
She pulled back and rested her hands on my shoulders, giving me a onceover. “You’ve lost weight and haven’t spent enough time outside. You’re here in Paxton’s house while he’s away, so I’m guessing you’re staying here.” She smiled.
I guessed that was good, but I wasn’t going to budge for Pax’s mother any more than I would have for Aiki or Mr. Naese. I might not be ready for total intimacy with Pax, but no one was going to push me around or decide my future for me.
“Do you have anything with alcohol?” Rosemary asked, her voice cracking.
Paloma rose and headed into the kitchen. She brought back a triple shot of the tequila she’d used in the cocktails.
“Thank you,” Rosemary said before downing half the glass. She hissed and made a face. She shook her head before she returned her attention to me. “The flight attendants only gave me two tiny bottles of wine. I really needed that.”
“So…” Naomi said. “You’re here because…?”
Everyone crowded in closer. “To tell Hana and Paxy about hishorriblefather.” Rosemary hiccupped behind her hand. She finished the drink. “What’s going on with you, sweet girl?”
I shrugged. “I lost my job in California, so I moved here almost two months ago to work on a new project with NASA with one of my former professors.”
“Sounds like you leveled up. And you’re staying here, with Paxy?” Rosemary asked, eyebrows raised.
The liquor seemed to be hitting her system already. I wondered if she’d eaten anything—if I should offer her something. “I have been, yes. He asked me to.”
She smiled brightly, her eyes shining. “That makes me ecstatic.” Thesssssssound in that word was extra long. The alcohol was definitely having an effect. “The two of you weremeantto be together. I’ve been on tenterhooks waiting for Paxy-poo to come out of his funk, pull his head from his ass, and do right by you.”
“In tequila, veritas,” Millie said.
Ida Jane shushed her, but I agreed. At least Rosemary wasn’t opposed to Paxton’s relationship with me.
“Paxy-poo?” Ida Jane whispered.
I winced. Pax detested that nickname, and I knew Rosemary wouldn’t have used it if she wasn’t sauced.
This situation, and Paxton’s privacy, could go south, quickly.
“Don’t, Idge,” Millie said. She peeked over the edge of the pack ’n play where Bree was sleeping. “You’ll start something you can’t win—even with Maxim’s support. These guys make up theworstnicknames.”
“It’s true,” Naomi said. “For a while one of the guys was called Tiddly because he had a small, er, package.”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing at Naomi’s attempt at decency. Little late for that.
“Well, that’s not the worst one I’ve heard,” Mrs. Naese said. She removed her coat and set it on a barstool. Then she grabbed a glass and poured herself a mojito. After a long sip, she smacked her lips. “It’s missing the alcohol, but it’ll have to do. Actually, I probably don’t need any more alcohol. The room’s spinning.”
“I might,” I muttered.
The crew of ladies abandoned the game to settle in the kitchen, no doubt desperate to hear the rest of the story Rosemary needed to tell. She motioned me over next to her. “I’ll dish on the boys—I’ve raised three athletes, and Hugo and Devon also played hockey, so I have dirt—but first I need to give Hana some more details about the situation between our families.” She peered at the ladies, who’d edged in closer still.
“I expect each of you to help me ensure Hana and Paxton get their fair shot. That’ll mean a lot of support and maybe some lying to keep Paxy—er,Paxton’sdad out of the way for a bit longer. I don’t want the garbage can of a man to know I’m here. Yet. I’ll slap him with my divorce decree as soon as I’m ready.” She stared down in her drink and mumbled something about the best years of her life.
“Hey, now! I don’t lie,” Naomi said.
“No, honey, you tell it like it is, which is why you’re going to lead the press charge,” Rosemary said. She pointed at Millie. “You have a sweet face, so I bet you could get away with a few fibs.”
“Erm…” Millie turned bright red.
“We’ll work on it,” Ida Jane said, sticking up for her friend.
