Page 122 of Tell Me Something

Colby gave me a wink, and I blushed crimson, frantically looking for my cover-up.

“Mom, this is Haylee Holloway, my girlfriend. Haylee, this is my mom, Patricia Singer, and you know Colby.”

Holy shit, did he just say girlfriend?

She glanced first at me, then back at Josh, and lastly toward Colby. “It’s nice to finally meet you, my dear. I’ve heard a lot of great things.”

I was in stunned disbelief. “Nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Singer.”

“Josh, a word please,” his mom requested.

Josh followed her outside but not before kissing my hand.

Colby turned toward me with a sympathetic look. “Sorry about that. I should’ve texted Josh to let him know we were ahead of schedule.”

“Uh, it’s fine. I guess I didn’t know I’d be meeting your mom at all.”

He chuckled. “Well, right after having sex probably wasn’t the ideal time. I did try to tell her that sign was for a reason.”

I could feel myself turn beet red as Josh came back in with his mother again.

“I’m heading to my room to get changed and unpacked. Then I intend to come back down if you two don’t mind the company?” Patricia asked.

I realized she was addressing me. “No, not at all.”

After she and Colby left, I expelled the breath I was holding.

“Sorry about that. She arrived earlier than expected,” Josh apologized.

“You didn’t mention I was meeting your mom and seeing Colby this weekend.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise.” He studied my face.

“I had thought you didn’t want me to.” I couldn’t figure out my feelings. I was thrilled he would finally introduce me to his family but confused as to why he would do this when we were winding down our relationship.

“I love you, and I’m not ashamed of her knowing that.” He hugged me close. “Are you?”

I leaned back. “Of course I’m not. It just took me off guard.”

He kissed me softly and then straightened up the pillows. “Thank God she didn’t come in any sooner.”

We both giggled and put the cabana back the way that it had been before we’d gotten frisky.

JOSH’S MOM was polite and charming, but when she sent Josh and Colby to go get some food for us, I became nervous about being left alone with her.

“So, Josh says you’re starting law school soon.”

“Yes, at the end of August I’ll be heading up to Yale.”

Her face expressed appreciation. “Good school. Have you met Mark?”

“Yes, he’s been wonderful. He helped me get an apartment in New Haven and critiqued my essay.”

“How did you and Josh meet?”

Giving her the abbreviated version of the shoot in LA and then Nigel needing help, I hoped I wasn’t saying too much.

She was especially interested in the vintage spread in Cosmo Life. “I saw those pictures. I don’t know why I didn’t recognize you. Those dresses were amazing, especially the wedding dress.”