Page 27 of Some Kinda Romance

13

DASH

Acouple days after we got caught leaving her building together, I scrolled on my phone, reading the news in bed with a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, the lifestyle and entertainment pages were filled with pictures of Serenity and me, and speculation was rife that we might be a new couple.

One article in particular asked whether Serenity was finally moving on from her ex, the journalist questioning whether enough time had passed since the divorce for her to be rubbing a new relationship in Ethan’s face.

I groaned, shaking my head as I kept scrolling. This was why I hated the press. They saw something and ran with it, never bothering to check the facts or paying a damn shred of respect to the people in question.

Serenity hadn’t even texted me back that night, nor had I heard a word from her since. We were most certainly not dating and I, for one, had no intention of rubbing anything in anyone’s face. Whether she’d had ulterior motives when I’d asked if I could walk her out, I didn’t know, but in the end, I’d accompanied her to her vehicle.

I hadn’t fucking mounted her in public.

Frustration coursed through my veins. This was an entirely unnecessary distraction that would undoubtedly detract from my mother’s wedding—and annoy the life out of me.

As it was, Mom and I had another meeting scheduled with Serenity for today and the paparazzi were going to wet themselves when they saw me visiting that place again so soon. I exhaled harshly, my eyes narrowing at the mere thought.

Speaking of which.

Checking the time on my phone, I realized I had to get going. I still had to pick up my mother and I hated being late even more than I hated being used as clickbait for the tabloids.

Finally kicking my ass into gear, I swigged the last of my coffee and got out of bed, rushing through a shower before tempting fate about a speeding ticket on my way to my mother’s house. She was waiting when I arrived, laughter in her eyes when she climbed into my car.

“I see you’ve got a new girlfriend,” she teased, reaching for her seatbelt and buckling up. “Who would’ve known that my wedding would lead you to your soulmate?”

I scoffed. “You saw the articles, huh?”

“Of course, I did. Finn helped me set alerts on my phone so that it notifies me whenever any of you are mentioned in the press. You’d be surprised by how often I get notifications.”

“They’re not usually about me, though.”

She chuckled. “No, they’re not usually, but it was nice to see you with Serenity. I’m glad you walked her to her car. At least it means I raised you right.”

My eyes widened a bit. “You knew?”

“I’m your mother, darling. I know you’re not seeing her, and considering where and when the pictures were taken, I’ve come to the conclusion that you took her the papers and walked her out after. I’m proud of you for both of those things, though you must admit that you two would make a lovely couple.”

“Don’t get your hopes up,” I grated out.

She shrugged a shoulder at me and winked. “My hopes are none of your business. The paparazzi sure seem to think you’d make a wonderful couple.”

“Yeah, but that’s just the paparazzi being the paparazzi. They’d think that the Grinch and Cinderella would make a wonderful couple if the story helped them sell their bullshit news.”

“Sad, but true,” she agreed, laughing again before she became a little more serious. Her voice grew animated and she turned in her seat so she was facing me. “She’s doing excellent work with the wedding, don’t you think? You should tell her. Give credit where it’s due. That business is already thriving under her leadership and I think there are big things in store for her in this industry if she carries on this way.”

“Why do I need to tell her anything?” I asked lightly. “You gush about her enough that nobody else in our family needs to.”

She chortled and gave me a playful, very light shove. “Are you sure it’s just a rumor? It would be so great if just this once, there was a grain of truth to something they published. She would be a fantastic daughter-in-law. I’ve always wanted a daughter, but God decided to make me wait until my boys got married to give me one.”

“What happens if we marry men?”

She pouted. “Then I suppose I’d have more sons. I have enough of them, but you boys aren’t bad. One or two more wouldn’t kill me. As long as some of you adopted little girls and I could have a granddaughter, I guess I’d be okay with that as well.”

Amused laughter rumbled in my chest as I shook my head. “At this point, you might have to adopt a little girl yourself if you want one that bad. None of us are anywhere near marriage, baby-making, or adoptions.”

“Nonsense. You’ve all been practicing baby-making for years. Eventually, a grandchild has to pop up. I’ll just hope for a girl, but again, boys aren’t that bad.”

Rolling my eyes, I chuckled and shot her a quick, pointed look. “Well, it won’t be from me. I’m careful.”