“But it’s important to you for your mom to know, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is, plus Jenna already knows.” He didn’t mention Lucas sort of knew. His oldest brother knew about Monica and Rex’s feelings for her, but not the latest update since yesterday.
“Either way, I owe Mom a multitude of apologies for my behavior of late. I promise you she won’t tell anyone if we ask her not to, but I respect your decision if you’d rather not.”
Her teeth grazed her bottom lip. “If it’s important to you, then let’s do it.”
“Are you sure,” he asked unconvinced she was telling the truth.
“Absolutely.” She pressed a kiss to his temple. “What time are we going?”
“Let me call her, and we can go from there. She usually eats by now, but she knew I had to work today.”
“I’ll get ready while you call her.”
Once Monica disappeared down the hallway, Rex stepped outside to call his mom. He leaned against the porch rail and held the phone to his ear.
“Hi, Mom,” he greeted simply when she answered right away.
“Are you off work?”
“Finally. I was hoping for a short day, but that didn’t happen.” He dropped his gaze to his watch, saw the seconds ticking. “I know it’s later than normal, but does that dinner invite still stand?”
“Of course, it does.”
“Do you mind if I stop by, then?”
“You know you’re welcome anytime, child. I wouldn’t have invited you if I didn’t want you here.” Mom, known as Stella to everyone but her children, had a wistful tone to her voice. “I’ve missed your regular visits. They made an old lady’s day.”
“You’re not old, Mom, not by any standard.”
Stella laughed. “I’m not sure about that. I found a gray hair this afternoon, probably from your sister’s non-stop chattering.”
Rex broke out into a hearty chuckle. “I don’t doubt that. Did she get home okay?”
“I haven’t heard from her yet, but she didn’t leave until three.”
“She’s good at texting once she gets home. I’m sure we’ll hear from her soon.”
“That’s my cell buzzing now. Hold on.” There was a second of silence while Stella checked the message. “That’s her. She’s in her apartment getting ready to study.”
“Glad she made it safely.”
“Now get off the phone and get yourself over here.”
“I’ll be there soon. By the way, I am bringing someone with me.” Rex could see her smile through the phone when he gave her that news.
“I can’t wait. I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, son. Drive safe.”
He hung up and went to the bedroom to check on Monica. After she gave the okay, he opened the door, and his mouth dropped. Clothes were strewn all over the bed and floor, as Monica frantically dug through her bag. How could that many shirts fit in there?
“What happened in here?” The mess was completely out of character for Monica, and he had to stop himself from laughing at the absurdity of it.
“I can’t meet your mom wearing any old outfit, but I don’t have anything with me to wear that’s appropriate. Maybe that’s because I don’t know what’s proper to meet the mom of the man I drove fifteen hundred miles to see, but don’t have an official title to.”
