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PJ Harlowe
The next morning found PJ very withdrawn. She was used to men being assholes, but she thought better of Max. Her guard was now up, and she was no longer open to a relationship with him. If a man could forget she existed in the presence of another woman, maybe he should be with that other woman. She was sure he still had feeling for the woman. She certainly had sexual feeling for him. There was no way PJ was going to allow herself to be treated so poorly. Any man worth her time should value her and beam when in her presence.
Deciding to stay away from Max for the duration of the trip, she took a long hot bubble bath and then read a book. It was well into the afternoon when Latti came knocking on her door to see if she was alright.
“PJ, open this door.”
“What’s up Latti?”
“You tell me. You haven’t said more than two words since yesterday and you’ve been holed up in this room since we got back last night. What the fuck did Max do to make you move into your own room? Am I going to have to beat his ass?”
After she explained what happened in the restaurant, Latti was floored. He wanted to kick the shit out of Max for hurting his friend, but she talked him out of it.
“There’s no need to for all of that. I can’t force that man to be what I need him to be. He has to come to that conclusion on his own. I will never allow a man to make me feel like I am second best to any other woman. That shit just doesn’t fly.”
“I am so sorry, PJ. I thought he was better than that. Maybe you should have a conversation with him to get his side.”
“Oh, we talked about it and he acted like he was so innocent. There was no excuse for his behavior. But really, he did nothing wrong. I was not his woman, clearly. He didn’t owe me anything. Now I know and I have reacted accordingly.”
Just as Latti pulled her into a hug, they heard the front door close and then the melodic voice of Mrs. Aston calling out to the inhabitants of the house.
“Hello! Is anybody home?”
Perfect! PJ could get all her demons exercised on this trip and then get the fuck out of that place. She was so ready to go home. The only thing keeping her from renting her own car and heading out was her need to find out what happened between her mom and Latti’s dad.
“Your parents are here! Let’s table this for now and go deal with them.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready to hear what they have to say, but let’s go anyway.”
The friends made their way to the living room to greet the people of the hour. Mr. and Mrs. Aston were wealthy beyond measure, but they were so down to earth you would never guess. That showed in Latti’s personality, as well.
Mary Aston was a short woman with big expressive brown eyes. She may be small, but she commanded and received respect from everyone that met her. She was pretty but never used that to her advantage. She raised her son to respect women above all else and she would not put up with anything less. That’s why Latti was apprehensive about her meeting Carla. He didn’t exactly disrespect Carla, but he was using her for sex. Even though it was a mutual agreement, his mother would never approve.
Ben Aston was the quintessential millionaire from romance novels. Tall, dark, handsome and a chick magnet. Women flocked to him just as like they did Latti. However, Mr. Aston knew better than to entertain any of the attention. His wife would slit his throat in his sleep if she even suspected he had thoughts of cheating. That’s another reason why PJ was sure her mother and Mr. Aston had never hooked up.
“Mama!”
Latti ran to his mother who pulled her baby boy in for a huge hug. It was apparent to anyone watching that they were close as any mother and son could be. PJ knew how special the relationship between Latti, and Mrs. A. was. He would do anything for her and so would PJ. Mrs. A. had always showed PJ love and kindness. After her mom passed away, it was Mrs. Aston who held her and gave her advice on how to get through it.
“Pashen! Baby, get over here and give me a hug. Why are you standing there acting like we’re strangers?”
PJ easily fell into the arms of the lovely woman and hugged the stuffing out of her. It always felt like she was hugging her own mother when she embraced Mary Aston. It was the one thing she missed the most now that her mom was gone. When she had an opportunity to receive a mother’s hug, she seized it.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about. What a great hug,” Mrs. A. exclaimed.
“Don’t forget about dear old dad! I think I had a hand in creating you Lattimore. Come give me a hug.”
Watching her friend interact with his parents brought out PJ’s grief. She missed her mom, and she never knew her father. The longing was too much for her to bear. It manifested itself as tears which were running down her cheeks unbeknownst to PJ. When Mr. Aston wrapped her in his arms and whispered that he missed her mother too, PJ melted. He had always been a father figure in her life. He had attended every dance recital, sporting event and graduation she ever had.
“Sorry for the waterworks, Mr. A. It’s been a hard week, and now with you both here I am thinking about Mama even more.”
“Dad, PJ and I really need to talk to you about some heavy stuff once you get settled.”
“Yes, son. Your mom told me you wanted to talk with us. Maybe after dinner. Right now I want to take a shower and grab a drink by the fireplace.”
After Max and Latti took the Aston’s bags to their room, everyone gathered in the sitting room to talk and get reacquainted. The Astons were grilling Carla about her life and PJ almost felt sorry for her. Almost. PJ excused herself to cook dinner and start prep for Christmas dinner. She needed to keep busy in order to keep from falling apart. Max was sitting across the room looking like a puppy that had been scolded for misbehaving, but she gave zero fucks. He made his bed. Now he’d have to sleep in it alone.
Once dinner was consumed, the Astons sat down with Latti and PJ to hear them out. PJ was so nervous her hands were shaking. She sat next to Latti and pressed her thigh against his for support. She looked at him and he looked at her both wanting the other to start first. Finally, she bit the bullet and laid it out on the table.
