“These are…blah, bland. Either we put more salt on them or dip them in chocolate,” he’d suggested, slipping one between my lips. “What’s it going to be?”
That question had been left unanswered. A vision of dropping to my knees and mouthing his cock through denim while he’d unbuckled his belt popped into my head. I’d blown him three feet from where my mother was standing now and?—
Screech.So much for reliving that sexy moment.
I caught my reflection in the sliding glass door and tugged at the string at my neck. I couldn’t do anything about the white face makeup or red lips, but the cape felt like overkill. I mean, it had been surreal enough giving my mother a tour of the kitchen andwalking with her down Main Street while dressed as Dracula, but like it or not, we needed to have a serious conversation.
“Your home is quaint,” she finally said, hands clasped as she moved to the island. “Lovely view.”
“Thanks.”
“The town is also quite…”
“Quaint?” I offered.
“Yes. And simple. It reminds me of a Jimmy Stewart movie. The Christmas one where he meets an angel.” She snapped her fingers, willing her sharp mind to conjure the title. “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“I like it here. It’s a nice place, and I’ve met some great people.”
My mother hummed, her gaze scanning every inch of the kitchen with a slight curl of distaste at the corner of her mouth. “That’s nice, dear.”
“But…what? It’s not like you to hold back, Mom. What do you really think?” I challenged testily.
Mom crossed her arms and sighed. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what to think, Dexter. As I said, this is a nice town, but it’s very small. Is this what you want for your child? A small life?”
“Mom…” I massaged my neck, dreading the uncomfortable conversation ahead.
“Before you say another word, I have something for you.” She dug through her Hermes bag and handed me an envelope.
I studied it suspiciously. “What is it?”
“A gift.”
I unsealed the envelope and pulled out a legal document. “What the?—”
“It’s a lease agreement…for your donut shop. I did some research and ran the numbers on your charming enterprise here and darling, it’s a perfect fit for home. I still own that building on Kercheval and of course, it’ll be yours one day, but in the meantime, I’ll lease it to you at a discounted rate.”
“Kercheval Avenue? In Grosse Pointe?”
My mother grinned broadly, obviously pleased with herself. “Yes. Come home, Dex. Be with your family. Let Gilbert and me be part of this child’s life.”
I folded the piece of paper and slipped it into the envelope. “Thank you. This is very generous.”
“I think the donut shop will be a nice addition, and the baby?—”
“Mom, I’m not moving to Michigan.”
She froze. “What about…part time? You could travel between home and here and?—”
“You’re not listening. Wood Hollow is home now.”
Hurt flashed across her features—there and gone, replaced by disdain. “You were raised for better than this.”
“Mom…”
“If life had worked out the way we all hoped it would, you’d have been the Tom Brady of your generation, but it didn’t, and you’ve never recovered from the disappointment.”
I shook my head ruefully. “That’s not true.”
