Vic leaned in and kissed her temple.“She loves you.It’ll be fine.”
Bonnie hit Call before she could chicken out.
It rang twice.
Then the screen lit up.
Her mother’s face appeared—Donna Dupont, hair still the same warm brown Bonnie remembered, though threaded with more silver now.She looked surprised, then pleased.
“Bonnie Rae?Is everything okay, honey?You never call on video.”
“Hi, Mom.”Bonnie’s voice came out a little higher than usual.“Yeah, everything’s good...reallygood, actually.I wanted you to meet someone.”
She tilted the phone so Vic came into frame.He flashed that easy, charming rock-star smile—the one that had probably gotten him out of trouble more times than she wanted to know—and lifted a hand in greeting.
“Hi, Mrs.Dupont.I’m Vic Montrose.It’s really nice to meet you.”
Donna’s eyebrows shot up.She leaned closer to her screen, studying him.“Well, hello.You’re the drummer Bonnie’s mentioned a time or two.”
Vic’s smile widened.“Guilty.Though I’m hoping she’s only told you the good parts.”
Bonnie watched, half amazed, half terrified, as her mother, the woman who had spent years warning her about musicians, actually smiled back.
“You’ve got a kind face,” Donna said.“And you look at my daughter like she hung the moon.That counts for something.”
Vic’s ears went a little pink.“She kind of did.At least for me.”
Bonnie felt her heart do a slow, melting roll in her chest.She leaned into Vic’s side as she told her mother everything about the Iron Indian Records deal, the coordinated touring schedule that meant she didn’t have to choose between her band and OY, the way Vic had become her safe place in the middle of all the chaos.
And finally, the biggest piece.
“We’re getting married, Mom.”
The words hung in the air.Bonnie held her breath.
Donna was quiet for a long moment, eyes glistening.Then she let out a soft, watery laugh.
“Oh, Bonnie.My wild girl finally found someone who can keep up with her.”She wiped at her eyes.“I’m happy for you, sweetheart.Really happy.Send me pictures of that ring, and you two better come visit soon.I want to meet this young man properly.”
They talked for a few more minutes, Donna asking questions and Vic answering with that easy charm, before saying goodbye.When the call ended, Bonnie dropped the phone onto the couch and let out a long, shaky breath.
Vic grinned at her.“See?Not so scary.”
Bonnie laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep in her chest.“Oh, baby, you have no idea.She was on her best behavior today.”
Vic tackled her gently back onto the couch, hovering over her on his elbows.His fingers tangled in her hair as he looked down at her, eyes soft and full of love.
“So that’s Mom, huh?”
“Yeah,” Bonnie said, reaching up to trace his jaw.“That’s her.”
Vic laughed, low and warm.“Are you a lot like your mom?”
Bonnie thought about it for a minute, really thought about it.The stubbornness.The loyalty.The wild heart that refused to be tamed.The way she loved fiercely once she let herself.
“So much like her,” she admitted, smiling.“Stubborn, loyal, wild, and crazy.”
Vic’s eyes darkened with affection.He leaned down and kissed her, slow and deep, like he had all the time in the world.
