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“I’d be happy to get you acup.”

“Thanks, but I’ll get it. I’m very particular about my mix of cream and sweetener.”

She returned to the bar and ordered her coffee. Then she crossed to the condiment area to dress her beverage the way she liked it. As she filled her cup with creamer, a familiar arm reached around her for a packet of sugar.

“Excuse me,” Micah’s voice hummed.

Maddie glanced sideways at him, saw the mischievous grin he wore and the twinkle in his eye as he prepared his own cup of coffee. They were alone, as alone as they were going to get. She risked a hushed conversation. “So you’re not mad that I’mhere?”

He reached around her again, this time for a stirrer. She leaned back into the momentary closeness of him, inhaling the musky scent of Micah—a mixture of his aftershave and body wash and his own unique odor. Maybe secret wasn’t sobad.

“Not at all. I always want you near.” She felt his hand lower behind her to shift his bulge. “Even if it makes me a bit uncomfortable in the pants.”

Maddie smiled as she busied herself with stirring her coffee longer than necessary in order to prolong their interaction. “Your mother is beautiful. You look so much likeher.”

He swiveled to view Lulu. “You think? I mean, I think she’s beautiful, too, but I don’t know how much I look like her.” Lowering his voice he added, “And thank you for mentioning my mother. You’ve effectively cured me of mysemi.”

She giggled. “One way or another, I’m always glad to relieveyou.”

“Let’s not even continue this line of conversation,” he laughed. He turned his focus again to Lulu. “She loves these things. Look at her milking up all the attention my manager is givingher.”

Maddie followed his gaze. “That’s your manager?”

“Yeah, Stu.”

“She does look awfully comfortable.” And a little bit smitten. Did Micah realize his mother had a thing for his manager? From the oblivious look on Micah’s face, she guessednot.

They watched Lulu and Stu for a few seconds in silence. Then Micah cocked his head. “Do you want to meetthem?”

Maddie’s heart stopped. Them. Stu and Lulu, two of the most important people in Micah’s life. “Only if you want me to.” Her response was barely louder than a whisper.

“I do.” His eyes lit up with excitement, verifying what he said was sincere. “But I’m warning you now, I’m going to be vague about our relationship.”

“You don’t want to tell your mother and manager all the amazing things I do to you on a nightly basis? I guess I can live withthat.”

“Thanks for understanding.” He waved his hand to catch his mother’s eye, then summoned her towardthem.

Maddie braced herself, hoping she appeared casual despite her sudden overwhelming anxiety about meeting Micah’s mom. His mom! It had been years since she’d met a boyfriend’s parent.

Of course, Micah wasn’t her boyfriend. Not technically. But he was much more than just a lover. Somehow she had to keep all of that from showing on her face, in her body. Though how could she when her entire soul lit up like a firecracker in his presence?

No time to figure it out. Lulu was there. In front of her. Micah’s smile was easy, casual. He gestured nonchalantly at Maddie. “Lulu, Stu this is Maddie Bauers. She’s a camera assistant on thefilm.”

Maddie offered her hand first to Stu. His shake was firm but brief, the manager seeming to be more interested in speaking with Micah. No matter. Impressing Stu wasn’t high on her list of goals.

Then she swiveled to greet Micah’s mother. Lulu’s eyes, Maddie noticed, were exactly the color of her son’s, less piercing, but equally as bright. Her hand was warm and smooth, her grasp firm though not as tight as Stu’s.

Instantly Maddie loved her in a way she would find difficult to explain if ever pressed to do so. Loved her for bringing Micah into this world. Loved her because Micah lovedher.

Loved her because, Maddie was beginning to suspect, she also loved herson.

When she took back her hand, Maddie was breathless from the waves of emotions that had accompanied the simple contact. She was also keenly aware that all of it had been one-sided.

Which was fine. More important was the widening of Micah’s eyes that suggested he’d understood and that he was pleased.

“It’s always a pleasure to meet people Micah works with,” Lulu said in a voice that hinted she was good at mingling. Sincere enough to be charming, but not personal enough to make a real connection.

“Adam LaForgeon’s on camera, right?” Stu asked. “He’s excellent.”