Silas just shakes his head at my grumpiness and pulls me in deeper. When he reaches down into the water with his hand and splashes me playfully, I find out that it is, in fact, refreshing. I yelp and don’t hesitate to splash him back. With both hands. That leads to an all-out water war and pretty soon my jean shorts and tank top are soaked through.
“Told you we should have stopped at Nana’s for a swimsuit.” I find it adorable that Silas now calls my grandmother Nana.
He grabs me while I’m feeling mushy about him, pinning my arms between us as he hugs me tight. He leans down and kisses me. The heat, the screaming kids, and the soaked clothing fades into the background. His lips part mine and what was a sweet kiss turns hot and not at all appropriate for the public beach. A wolf whistle from somewhere behind me has him pulling back, placing quick kisses to my nose, my eyes, and my forehead.
“You make me crazy, woman,” he mutters in between kisses.
“Right back atcha, frat boy.”
His answering grin is so sweet it keeps me at the lake for several more hours just to bask in it. I don’t even complain about the heat and humidity.
Okay, I do, but only once or twice. Pretty much a record for me.
By the time Silas drops me back home at Nana’s, I think I have a hint of a tan forming on my pale skin.
I’m just about to head to bed, my heart full from our day off, when my phone rings. It’s my mother. I’m not sure if I want totalk to her. On the one hand, she hasn’t bothered to call me since the day I rolled into Heaven and it might be nice to speak to her and catch up. On the other hand, conversations with her never end well and I’ve had too nice of a day to ruin it like this. The call rolls to voicemail and my shoulders drop, relieved I didn’t have to make a decision.
Then the phone rings again.
Shit.
She didn’t leave a voicemail. Guilt eats at me and I pick up.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Well, it’s about time you picked up. Thought you might be ignoring your own mother. How you doin’, B?”
My eyes slide shut and I sink onto my bed. Here we go.
“I’m good. Really good.”
She hoots into the phone. “Sounds like you found a man there in the South!”
Of course she would think my good mood is all to do with a man.
“Well, yes, but we also just won a trophy for best boutique in town. And I’ve made some friends?—”
“Forget about work, babe, tell me about this man!”
I roll my eyes heavenward. “He’s my boss, actually.”
Mom hoots again. “You’re just like your mama, going for the boss. And why not, right? They got money, power, and they’re usually handsome. I’ve always had a kink for bossy men. Speaking of bosses, I met someone at work too. He’s a manager, not the boss-boss, but close enough. In fact, that’s why I’m calling.”
I roll my lips inward and get comfortable on the bed. This is how our conversations always go. She asks about me, but never listens to the answer. She just launches into whatever man she’s met recently. Hundred bucks says she’ll tell me he’s the one andthey’re moving in together. Hundred more bucks says they’ll be broken up within six months.
“He’s taking me to Arizona for vacation. To one of those fancy resorts, not camping in the desert, thank God. Anyway, when we get back, my lease is up here so I’m going to move in with him. He’s got this great two-bedroom place closer to work, so it all works out.”
There’s a short pause when she finally takes a breath. “You still there?”
“I’m here.”
“Anyway, I’d love for you to meet him. He’s really great. Has three grown kids, close to your age. I bet you all would be such good friends.”
“I bet.” No chance in hell.
“I really think he’s a keeper, B.”
There it is.
