“Po-tay-toe,po-tah-toe. I know when something is bothering you, so why don’t you tell me what’s going on? And don’t skip out on telling me what has changed your mind about the job.”
Shifting in my seat, I leaned forward. “I was wondering how you knew Dad was the one?”
My mother sighed happily. “I knew it the moment I met him. We got on from the very beginning, and there was just something about him that made me want to be where he was all the time.”
I smiled and nodded my head, listening to the familiar story. My parents were as close as two people could be, even though the deployments were hard on all of us. She broke me out of my thoughts with her question.
“Have you met someone, Michael?” It was hard to miss the excitement in her voice as Adam’s face came to mind.
“Yeah, I have. He’s kinda perfect for me.”
I told her everything about EHM and being his bodyguard. She listened as I went on and on about him.
“So he’s a musician,” she mused. “Does he have a name?”
“Adam,” I replied quietly into the phone. “Adam Spencer. He’s with Fallen Angel.”
My mother was quiet as the sound of the ocean became more prevalent in the background. She was googling him.
“Oh my,” she sighed, verifying I was right. “Look at all those lovely tattoos. I love a man with ink. And he’s a hottie.”
“Mom! Stop gawking at my boyfriend like he’s a piece of meat. It’s kinda weird. I won’t be able to bring him home to meet you and Dad if you keep that up.”
She laughed at my put-out tone. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but he’s a beautiful man. And the two of you together make a handsome couple. But you don’t need me to tell you that. So what do you need from me, sweetheart?”
I sighed. “Nothing. I just wanted to see what… I don’t know. I’m struggling a little with how I’ve crossed the line. Falling for your client is pretty unprofessional.”
“Michael,” she murmured, “do you love him?”
I didn’t have to think about that. “Yeah, I do. But his heart’s a little fragile right now. He’s still dealing with all kinds of hurt.”
“Is that why you’re not upset about the job in Washington?”
I ran my hand over my mouth. “Probably. It’s where I always thought I wanted to be after getting out of the service. And for the life of me, now I don’t know why. But it’s a non-issue because they haven’t contacted me, and the job posting has been taken down.”
My mother weighed my words, like she’d always done, then gave me her opinion.
“Professionally, it’s not the best idea, but that doesn’t make it wrong. Your heart is very discriminating, Michael, and you need to follow it—it’s never led you wrong. Ask yourself if loving Adam will change the way you do your job?”
Would it change anything?
“Yeah,” I said rubbing my temples. “I’ll probably want to protect him even more.”
“That’s not a bad thing, son. Do you remember when your dad’s plane went down in the Middle East?”
“Yeah, I remember.” It was a nightmare.
“And we all were a mess until he called. But from that terrifying experience, we learned something important, sweetheart. Life is too short to deny yourself the love you deserve. If you’re happy, trust your heart, Michael. It will never steer you wrong with the right person.”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me, feeling hopeful that we could make this work. I knew Adam was my person, no matter what.
“Thanks, Mom. Talking to you always helps.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’m always here for you, no matter what.” Her words settled me like nothing else ever could.
“It did. I’ll call you later. Tell Dad I said hello.” My heart squeezed, thinking about my family.
“I will, baby. Love you.”
