His mother smiled.“Wonderful food, beautiful setting, and the very best company.It’s exactly what a celebration should be.”She sipped from her mason jar full of lemonade, her eyes moving over the crowd.“Which, according to Lou and Carleen, you had no small part in planning.You and Chloe really did a wonderful job putting this party together.”
Although they’d both been busy handling logistics and enjoying the party with the dozens of people in attendance, Tyler had been painfully aware of Chloe all night, and he zeroed in on her in less than a second now.Her dark blue and cream-colored dress draped over her curves, baring one shoulder and hugging her ass just enough to make his pulse kick.Long, thin strands of gold dangled from her ears, flashing in the soft light.Her hair spilled down her back in loose auburn waves, the laugh she’d just let out at something her brother, Miguel, had said illuminating her entire face, and for just a second, Tyler felt like he was a satellite and she was the brightest star in the whole damn sky.
Which was not only fucked up, but incredibly inconvenient for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which was that he was standing next to the one person who could read him like aNew York Timesbest seller.
“Thanks,” he said, smothering the thought and the feeling that had accompanied it.“But I can’t really take a ton of credit.Most of it was Chloe’s doing.”
“That’s not quite the story I heard, but however it happened, you two make a great team.”
Tyler saw the segue and didn’t hesitate.“Speaking of which, I wanted to ask you for a favor.”
His mother’s blond brows lifted in surprise.Bingo, attention diverted.“Me?”
He nodded.“Chloe’s been mentoring a thirteen-year-old girl in foster care.Esme.She actually helped me with all these lantern thingies earlier today.Good kid.”
He gestured covertly to the spot where Esme stood near Chloe, her eyes moving over the crowd with caution and just the slightest bit of curiosity.She’d given him the same treatment when they’d hung party decorations earlier—mostly quiet, with a handful of sentences and a couple of small smiles toward the end, but that had been okay by him.He didn’t blame her for being wary, and he’d meant what he’d said when he’d told both her and Chloe he was there to help.He didn’t mind proving it.
“Carleen told me,” his mother murmured, then added, “Not the details, of course.Chloe said they’re confidential.But I know the girl hasn’t had an easy life.How can I help?”
Here, Tyler paused.The case files were as confidential as Esme’s personal information, and he had to tread with care, no matter how much he wanted to help her.“Esme’s had it pretty rough, especially recently.She’s starting to warm up, but…”
“She’s thirteen?”his mother supplied, making him huff out a laugh.
“That, and she’s struggling in English class.Pride and Prejudice,”he said, and his mother gave a knowing nod.
“Ah.It gets the best of us.”
“I was kind of hoping you’d be willing to meet with her a few times, just low key, and walk her through the book.If Chloe can get her to agree to it.”
“You know me,” his mother said.“I never pass up a chance to talk about Jane Austen.I’d be happy to.”
Warmth spread out in Tyler’s chest.“Thanks, Mom.I really appreciate it.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.”Her eyes crinkled at the edges, and Tyler knew she meant it, just like he knew the feeling was one hundred percent mutual.“Now, why don’t you introduce us so we can chat for a bit?I’d love to say hi to Chloe, too.”
His heart committed mutiny by beating faster at the mention of Chloe’s name, then faster still as they made their way through the room to the spot where Chloe and Esme stood.But really, it couldn’t be helped.That dress was her ass’s best fucking friend.
“Hey,” he said, metering his voice to its most casual setting.
Chloe’s stadium-bright smile in response?Did not help.“Oh, hey!There you are.And Miss Beverly.”She paused to give his mom a warm hug.“I’m so happy you were here tonight.It wouldn’t have been a true Dempsey celebration without you.”
Tyler shot his mother a non-verbal “I told you so”, and she waved both of them off with a laugh.“Well, I wouldn’t miss it.You two put on a fantastic party.”Looking at Esme, she said, “Hello.I’m Beverly Gates.I’m Tyler’s mom.”
Esme’s eyes widened, landing on his.“I didn’t know your mom would be here.”
“We’re family,” Tyler said by way of explanation, and after a long pause, Esme gave the tiniest nod.
“I’m Esme.Not family or anything.Just, you know.Doing mentoring stuff with Chloe.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Esme.”Tyler’s mom extended her hand.Tyler and Chloe both opened their mouths at the same time—shit, he should have given his mom a heads up about Esme’s aversion to physical contact—but Esme shocked the crap out of him by stepping forward, not back.
“Sorry,” she said, seeming to register her movement only a beat after she’d made it, then tucking her hands into the pockets of her jeans just shy of contact.“I, um.Your friendship bracelets are kind of cool.”
Tyler blinked at the trio of beaded bracelets on his mom’s wrist.She, however, didn’t skip a beat.“Thanks.I was a teacher for a long time and one of my students made them for me when I retired.I have to admit, they’re pretty special to me.”
“I always wanted to learn how to make them,” Esme said, and Chloe took the opportunity to slide into the conversation.
“We could go online and see if they make kits,” she said.“Maybe find some colors you like.”
