“It means I’m going on a date…with Jamie. I’m telling you this because I’m freaked the fuck out, and I need a pep talk.”
“What are you wearing?”
Brinton rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a creep?—”
Shay took a long sip from a white coffee mug withWill Honk for Pussyin bold red text, complete with a cartoon cat driving a fire-engine red Corvette. “Seriously, show me.”
When Brinton panned the phone down the length of her body, Shay gasped. “Baby, I don’t think you’ll have to do or say anything to that man. Let that dress be your guide. You look fucking hot.”
“Don’t wait up,” Brinton chirped through an appropriately pleased grin.
“Of course I’m waiting up. And if I don’t hear from you by tomorrow?—”
“Then I’m calling the police,” Athena interjected, popping into the frame behind Shay’s head. She wore a white crop top and leggings that made the lines of her obliques pop. “I’m sure he’s nice, but I don’t know this man from Adam. He could drag you into a backwoods swamp.”
“Mom,” Brinton and Shay screeched in unison.
“I’m cutting you off fromDateline,” Shay added, shaking her head.
The doorbell rang.
“Crap—it’s him. I gotta go.”
“Brinton Maxwell Shaw, if you hang up right now, I’m disowning you,” Athena pleaded. “I want to meet him. Only for a minute.”
“Ugh—fine. But be nice. And don’t ask any weird sex questions, got it?”
“Deal,” Athena conceded, satisfied.
Brinton opened the door. While Jamie generally wore the same combination of jeans and T-shirt when she saw him, nobody—dead or alive—deserved to look that good. Shewanted to peel off that white shirt, gold chain, and tight, light-wash jeans with her teeth.
Maybe in a few minutes.
“Wow, you look…” he said, eyes taking in every inch of her. Then, he picked up on her contorted expression, raising a brow.
“I’m sorry, this is weird, but my mom wanted to say hi,” she breathed. “So, Jamie, this is my mom, Athena.”
Brinton flipped the phone around and leaned in closer to him on the porch.
“Oh, my…handsome. I-I mean, hello,” Athena said, giggling.
Brinton couldn’t help but snort. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only person he had that effect on.
Jamie’s cheeks turned a stunning rose shade, a rare but welcome sight. “Thank you, Miss Athena. I’m honored to meet you, finally.”
Shay angled her head into frame. “I’m sorry, my older sister is so rude. I’m Shay, by the way. I’m a big fan of your ass?—”
“Shay,” Brinton hissed.
“Damn, Brinny. I was gonna say hisaspirationalmusic. You know, about love and stuff. Jamie, good luck getting this one to relax.”
Jamie offered one of those megawatt grins that made Brinton’s thighs crumple like a Capri-Sun.
“I’ve heard so much about you both. I hope we’ll see each other in the flesh sometime soon. And, I promise, Miss Athena, I’ll take good care of your daughter. Get her back home to you in one piece.”
“I hope you two have fun. And, listen, if you have any single friends in their fifties?—”
“Okay, Mom, see you later,” Brinton blurted out before tapping the red button. “Bye, Shay.”
