Mom’s eyes were wide and tearful as they ping-ponged between me and Mal.
After a beat, she nodded and stood up. She fussed with the wrinkles in her pantsuit for a few seconds then sent me a tearfulsmile. “I love you, Saylor. And I’m going to take what you said to heart. I am so, so sorry I didn’t listen to you earlier.”
I could tell she wanted a hug, but I couldn’t do that.
“I do love you, Mom, but our relationship isn’t healthy. And I refuse to be your passive-aggressive punching bag anymore.”
She contorted like she’d taken a physical hit. Swiping at her eyes, she scurried from the room and out the front door with the security guy on her heels.
I felt so weird. Proud. Sad. Hurt. Relieved. It was the strangest mix of emotions.
“Fuck me. You’re so fucking amazing, baby girl.” Mal pressed me into the chaise lounge beneath me and kissed me like a solider returning home, so full of passion and life and joy.
It did so much to alleviate the ache inside that scene left me with.
“Ahem,” Paige interrupted. “I was told to come out when I heard the front door close.”
Mal sighed and rested his forehead against mine. “I forgot we weren’t alone.” Turning his head, he said to Paige, “We’re busy. Come back later.”
I giggled and pushed at Mal’s shoulders. He was so ridiculous.
“Um, usually I would.” Paige laughed. “I know you two are in the whole honeymoon stage and all, but I’m hungry and would really like to make breakfast now. I mean, I am a guest in your house…”
Mal gave a weary sigh and finally pushed off me and moved so he sat hunched over on the end. “Fine. I never get to have any fun around here.”
I laughed at his exaggerated pout. “Um, not to rain any more on your parade, but could you call your mom and ask her to come over? I’d kinda like to be with people who care about me.”
“Always, baby girl.” Mal leaned over and pressed a kiss on my forehead. “In that case, I’ll call the guys over too. They were almost as freaked out as I was last night.”
I smiled. Mal’s tribe was becoming my tribe too.
Until I saw the sparkle in Paige’s eyes.
“Leif’s coming over?”
“Oh, sweet baby Jesus,” I muttered, shaking my head at Mal. “What fresh hell have we unleashed?”
Paige shrugged. “It’s not like a portal to hell opened up last night when we…”
“Paige. Evelyn. Morris,” I shouted. “What did you do in ahospitalof all places?”
She sent me a mischievous look, then bounced into the kitchen and soon the sound of pots and pans clanging filled the charged silence.
Mal laughed. “Why am I suddenly afraid for Leif?”
“Because you are a very smart man.”
Mal shook his head and gave me another long, lingering kiss before he left to make some phone calls.
I collapsed onto the chaise lounge with a sigh.
Crazy exes, besties, and mothers aside, my life was turning out pretty damn great.
But a sudden crash from the kitchen made me sit up with a start.
“Um, Saylor?” Paige called. “What are the chances that vase was a knock off and not a Baccarat?”
“Was it red?”
