“I don’t think you need to worry about that, Ma. You look great,” I tell her, because it’s the truth.
“See? This is why you are my favorite child today.” She points her finger at me. “Now tell me why your sister called me in a hissy fit over you leaving her stranded in the city yesterday.”
I laugh again. Trust Mabilia to embellish the truth. “First of all, did she tell you why I was dragged into the city to find her?”
“No.”
“Yeah, didn’t fucking think so.” I roll my eyes.
“Language, Neo.” Mom gives me that disapproving look only a mother can give.
“I didn’t leave her stranded. I had Aleksi take her home because I had other things to do,” I explain.
Soft footsteps catch my attention, and I turn to see Caitlyn walk into the kitchen before stopping dead in her tracks, like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Morning.” I step over to her, blocking her view of my motherandmy mother’s view of her. “How’d you sleep?”
“Um, good. I’m sorry… I didn’t know anyone was here,” she whispers. I fucking hate when she does that. When she caves in on herself like that.
“Don’t be. My mother was just leaving.” I pick up Caitlyn’s hand and squeeze, because I want to reassure her and I’m guessing wrapping my arms around her and devouring that perfect fucking mouth of hers isn’t the way to do that. “This is my mother, Isabella. Mom, Caitlyn.”
My mother eyes Caitlyn as if she’s sizing up an enemy. I don’t like it. I get it. My mother is a little… overprotective. But it’s making Caitlyn feel uncomfortable.
“Ma, stop,” I warn.
Then my mother smiles. “Caitlyn, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Izzy. Neo didn’t tell me he was seeing anybody or that anybody was staying here. Coffee?” she asks, turning and taking a third mug from the cupboard.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs…” Caitlyn’s words drop off.
“It’s just Izzy,” I interject, not really wanting to give her our last name. I don’t need her Googling that shit and running for the hills.
“Okay, Izzy, but we’re not… I mean, he and I, we aren’t…” Caitlyn looks to me, but this is one thing I’m not helping her out with.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry,” my mom says to her. “But you most certainly are.” She then looks to me. “You should have called us. And I hope you’ve taken care of whomever did that.” My mother gestures a hand towards Caitlyn’s face.
Caitlyn makes a point to brush her hair with her fingers, quickly covering her cheek.
“You don’t need to hide. I’ve got you,” I whisper into her ear before pulling her around the counter. “Sit here. I’ll get you breakfast. What do you want to eat?”
“Um… I think I should probably just go home,” she mumbles.
“I’m going to kill him,” my mother grunts from behind me.
“Who?” I ask, turning my attention to her.
“Your father.” She glares at her phone. “I hope you’re ready to take over this family, Neo, because your old man’s days are numbered.” She taps away at her screen. “I have to go. It was really nice to meet you, Caitlyn. I’ll see you soon. Neo, bring her to Sunday dinner at T and Holly’s.”
Sunday dinner at the Valentinos is the last place I want to bring Caitlyn. But now that my mother knows of her existence, I’m not going to get out of this. I have four days to make this woman fall so madly in love with me that she doesn’t run when she meets my entire fucking family.
Caitlyn stares at me with wide eyes. She has no idea what just happened. The fact that my mother just welcomed her into the family.
“Wait right here. I’m going to walk my mother out. I’ll be right back,” I tell Caitlyn.
“Neo, what happened to her face?” Mom asks as soon as we’re out of earshot.
“She was mugged yesterday. I’m dealing with it,” I say.
“Good. Make sure you do.” Mom pushes up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “Call me if you need anything, and don’t fuck it up, Neo.”
