“That’s stretching it a bit,” Fallon laughs.
I grin like a dumbass, and my eyes settle on Mila as I say, “I like the sound of that, though.”
“Yeah, you and Hunter might as well be related,” Hana comments.
I walk to the hallway, saying, “Not what I meant, Hana. I was referring to Mila marrying me.”
“Don’t drop a bomb like that and walk away,” Jade yells, and it has me laughing as I walk into my room.
That should give them something to talk about while they do facials.Chapter 29MILAI finally get time to paint my nails, and I opted for a soft pink.
Jase walks into the room and coming to sit on the bed, he looks at my fingers as I blow on them to speed up the drying process. Taking my left hand, he blows on the wet paint, and it makes me stare at him with a grin.
“How long does this shit take to dry?” He asks.
“It’s quick-dry,” I reply, and when he gives me a look stating it doesn’t answer his question, I chuckle. “One to two minutes.”
A wicked grin spreads over his face, and he pushes me back on the bed. “So, I have you totally powerless until then?”
I nod, a contented feeling filling every corner of me.
Keeping his body raised above mine by resting on his hands and knees, he just stares down at me. “God, you’re beautiful.”
“You’re pretty, too,” I tease him.
A disgruntled look settles on his face. “Pretty?”
“And hot.”
He lifts an eyebrow.
Chuckling, I continue, “And sexy.”
“Keep it coming,” he demands.
“And strong.” My gaze softens on him. “You’re perfect.”
Lowering his head, he kisses me softly, then says, “Only in your eyes, babe.”
Then he glances at my hands. “Are they dry yet?”
I test them quickly, then nod.
“Good.” He pulls me up. “Because my mom is here to see you.”
“What?” I shriek. “You made her wait?” I rush out of the room, and when I burst into the living room, I ramble, “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Reyes. Did you wait long?”
She smiles at me as she rises from the couch. “Not at all.”
I go to give her a hug, then sit down. “Would you like something to drink?” I shoot up again and go to the fridge. “We have coke, water, and… milk.” Turning to her, I offer, “I can order something?”
She pats the couch with a smile on her face. “Nothing for me. Come sit.”
I do as Mrs. Reyes asks, then I smile at her.
It’s so important that she likes me. Now more than ever.
There’s a pleased look on her face as she says, “You seem to be doing better.”
I nod. “Yeah, every day it gets easier.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She leans back into the couch and gets comfortable as if we’re old friends visiting. “How are the nights?”
I turn my body to her, resting my shoulder against the cushion. “I only had one bad one. Other than that, I haven’t had any nightmares.”
“Want to tell me about it?”
I give her a grateful smile. “I was stuck in the dark, and there was… something evil clawing at me.”
“Yeah, I had those too,” Mrs. Reyes admits.
“But they went away?” I ask, hopeful.
She nods. “They do. How do your ribs feel?”
She’s so freaking considerate it makes me feel a little emotional. “They’re healing. The pain isn’t as sharp anymore, and I’m getting used to it.”
She places a hand over her heart, and patting her chest, she asks, “And how are things in here?”
A soft smile plays around my lips. “Good. Very good.”
“You met with Mr. Green on Saturday?”
“Yeah,” I nod. “He apologized.”
Her eyes narrow on me, then she whispers, “It doesn’t give closure, does it?”
I shake my head, admitting, “I was hoping it would, but honestly, his words meant nothing to me.”
“But still,” she reaches for my hand and squeezes it, “you look like you’re doing so much better than when we last visited.”
I hesitate for a moment, then bring my eyes to her blue ones. “It’s because of Jase.”
A smile jumps to her face. “Yeah?”
I can’t stop the stupid grin from pulling at my lips. “You have an amazing son, Mrs. Reyes.”
“I know.”
I let out a chuckle because that answer is so Jase-like.
He might look like his father, but he has so much of his mom in him. The same sharp gaze that doesn’t miss a thing.
She pats my hand, then offers, “And please, call me Jamie.”
“Okay.”
Jase walks into the living room, then says, “Aww, look at my mom bonding with her future daughter-in-law.” He slumps down on the couch while I stare at him with wide eyes.
He did not just say that in front of his mom?
Jamie lets out a bark of laughter at the expression on my face. “Yeah, Jase has no filter.”
“Right?” I gasp. “He just says whatever he’s thinking.”
“We were at a Christmas function for CRC when he was… oh, I think three years old.”