We exit the elevator on Mom’s floor and turn right, passing three doors before stopping. My mother loves her kids and grandkids more than anything, and I’ve been rehearsing the right words to say so I don’t cause her any panic.
I knock and wait for her to answer.
“That’s probably the room service,” I hear in a muffled voice.
Confusion sets in, and I look up and down the hallway.Where did that come from?
“Okay, darlin’,” I hear, snapping my head back to the wooden door in front of me. Those words definitely came from this room.
Only that wasn’t my mother's voice.
It was a man’s. One with a distinct Irish accent. One I recognize because he’s…
The door swings open, and my eyes narrow when a man appears, shirt unbuttoned. In. My. Mother’s. Room.
I can barely form the word around the dryness in my mouth.
“Antonio?”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Two can play that game
Remington
We stareat each other in shock for what seems like an hour but in reality is probably only a few seconds before my mother appears in a silky blue bathrobe, not noticing me at first.
Because her hands are on my goddamn driver, one on his large bicep and the other on his bare chest. “Honey, bring the strawberries into the bathroom. I’ll be in the?—”
“Ophelia,” Antonio breaks in, his eyes still on me as he gestures with a jerk of his chin.
Mom turns, sees me, and all the color drains from her flushed cheeks. I do my best not to speculate on exactly why her cheeks are flushed because I’d like to keep my sanity somewhat intact, thank you very much.
“Remington, it’s not what it…” she starts before shaking her head, mussed hair bouncing. I’m also not thinking about why my mother’s hair would be mussed like that. She blows out a sigh. “I guess it is exactly what it looks like.”
Antonio’s big arm wraps around my mother’s slender frame, pulling her protectively against his side, and something snaps inside me. But not in a bad way.
They look… good together.
Mindy’s hand soothes up and down my back. “Remi, why don’t we come back later?”
But I shake my head, still gawking at the couple in front of me. Because that’s exactly what they look like. A couple. And for some reason, seeing them together makes my chest fill with something I can’t describe.
“Remi,” Antonio says in a deep voice that holds an edge of warning. “I won’t have you upsetting Ophelia.” My mom looks up at him like he set the stars on fire just for her.
And that’s when I start laughing. Like, full-on, belly laughing.
“Dear god, he’s lost his shite,” Antonio mutters. “Get in here before security is called.”
Guided by Mindy’s hand on my back, I take a few steps into the room and hear the door close behind me. I still haven’t stopped laughing, and everyone stares at me like I’m a lunatic.
“I think we broke him,” Mom whispers to Antonio. She steps forward and grips my forearm. “Sweetheart, do you need a Tylenol or something?”
That causes an undignified snort to emit from my nose, and I shake my head, unable to speak as I hold my stomach with both hands.
“Forget Tylenol. Anyone have a tranquilizer?” Mindy mutters behind me before slapping me on the ass. “Get yourself together, man.”
“I can’t…” I breathe, pointing from Mom to Antonio, who are apparently lovers now. “You two… and you’re here… together.”
