She gave him a sad smile. “Thanks.”
He knew she’d never call him, and why would she? He had to be last on her list of support people. She had her brother and Lucy and the others in this town. And wasn’t that a depressing thought. She had an entire town, and he had…. Well, he had his band, and they all surprisingly got along well, which was why they’d gone as far as they had. But other than that, he could honestly say he had no one else he could download to if he needed it.
“I think my mom is having a thing with someone,” he said, because continuing this conversation wasn’t helping either of them.
“I beg your pardon. What does ‘thing’ mean?” She lifted her head to look at him.
Picking her up, he headed for the compact bathroom because it was getting cold. Once there, he lowered her to the floor, enjoying the slide of her spectacular body against his.
“An intimate thing with someone.”
“No way!”
“Your reaction is no different to mine and Hope’s, but the evidence is leading that way.”
“What evidence?”
“Her softening. The fact that I heard her talking on the phone with a man, and she said, ‘I’d like to have dinner with you.’”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“You need to find out for sure, because I need to know who would….” Her words fell away clearly uncomfortable. “I mean—”
“It’s okay. I’m wondering who would take my mother on too. She’s not exactly the take-home-to-your-parents kind of woman, even if she wasn’t her age.”
Faith patted his shoulder. “I should probably get back.”
“Soon.” Turning on the water, he checked the temperature, then took her hand and tugged her inside, pulling her back into his arms. He could get used to holding Faith. She seemed to fit and feel right exactly where she was.
“Okay, not gonna lie. I’m intrigued about who your mom is having a thing with. Any other proof that connects her to a man and any clues about his possible identity?”
Hot water warmed them, and the small space soon filled with steam.
“Hope said Mom was wearing perfume the other day. And I called by for a visit four days ago, and she wouldn’t let me in the house, stating it was messy.”
“Messy?”
“My mom’s house is never messy. It’s ruthlessly organized and run with military precision, but never messy.”
“Incriminating, it has to be noted.”
“Exactly. And I’m sure I heard the murmur of a man’s voice. Plus, she had lipstick on today.”
“And that’s a big deal?” Faith yawned again, and he looked down at her. Her eyes were closed.
“You’ve known my mother your entire life. Have you ever seen her wearing lipstick?”
She thought about that. “No.”
“There you go, then.”
“It could just mean she’s wearing lipstick and perfume because she wants to change her image.”
“She eats oatmeal for breakfast every day and always has. Her clothes are ordered online from the same store they always have been. She has driven the same car for years. My mother does not do change.”
Faith eased off him, and he felt like he’d lost something monumental in that moment.