“Hi, Mom,” I say as I climb the porch steps and press a kiss on her cheek.
“Everything okay?’ she asks with a frown. I should have known I couldn’t fool her with a fake smile.
“I’m not sure.”
She smiles sympathetically. “Come inside and you can fill me in.” I follow her into the entryway and drop my bag on the floor. “I’ll get us both a coffee,” she says, disappearing into the kitchen.
“Where’s Dad?” I shout as I head into the living room, expecting to see him.
“At the store,” she shouts back. “He won’t be long.”
I kick off my shoes and sink into the comfortable sofa, tucking my legs underneath me. A few minutes later, my mom walks in, handing me a steaming cup of coffee.
“Thanks,” I tell her as I take it from her, and she sits down next to me. “Who’s coming tonight? I ask before taking a sip of the hot coffee.
“Everyone other than Wyatt, I think.”
My eyes widen in surprise. I was hoping at least one of my brothers would be working. It seems not.
“Seb and Taylor too?”
She nods. “Taylor wanted to come, even though she’s only been discharged today.” She takes a mouthful of her drink. “Why do you ask?”
“Do you remember Ben? He came to the hospital just after Taylor’s accident.”
“Your boss, right?”
I nod. “He’s not just my boss.”
She smiles. “Honey, I worked that out when I saw the two of you together. No boss of mine ever held me like Ben held you.”
I feel my cheeks flush with heat. “I’ve invited him over for dinner tonight. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay.”
“I wanted you to meet him properly. I was hoping Nash and Cade would be working.”
“Why?”
I arch a brow. “You already know the answer to that.”
She offers me a small smile. “You know your brothers are just overprotective because they love you?”
I sigh. “I know, but I’m so sick of it. Ben is older and things are complicated. They’re already giving me a hard time about him.”
She frowns. “Complicated how? How old is he?”
I take a mouthful of coffee, swallowing slowly. “Age is just a number, Mom. It’s not important.”
“Ashlyn.”
I blow out a breath. “He’s forty-three.”
Her eyes widen. “Okay, and it’s his age that makes things complicated?”
I shake my head. “Not exactly. He’s married–”
“Oh, Ashlyn, no,” she exclaims, interrupting me.
