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He felt a twist of guilt when his mother’s eyes shone with tears. They glimmered but did not fall.
“I can see you don’t want me in any part of your life, do you?”
“That’s not true, but I think it’s for the best right now that I keep a certain distance.”
“It’s because of that woman.”
The guilt he’d briefly felt fled. “I left the house before I started dating Jayna.”
“Is that what you call it? Because from where I’m sitting, there’s no dating about it,” she said primly. “She’s your mistress, and everyone in town knows it. It’s embarrassing. You’re a grown man who should be looking for a wife, not a playboy.”
He’d never been a playboy and he wasn’t one now, but she might have a point about the whole dating thing. The dayshad been long, and they’d been content staying in. They faced off at work, battling it out, and then went upstairs and battled it out in a different way.
Was their whole relationship about sex? Was that how Jayna saw it?
Was he Jayna’s booty call? She didn’t even have to call. He was right there waiting for her to need him.
“Get used to her, Mom. I’m not joking. I’m serious about her, more serious than I’ve been about a woman since college.” He needed her to understand that he wasn’t going to be moved on the subject. “If you can’t get along with her, we’re going to have problems.”
“So you’re giving me an ultimatum?”
“I’m telling you that I won’t accept any insult to her or her family. Not from anyone. If you can’t be polite to her, then stay away.”
“I’m trying to look out for your best interests, son. Do you honestly believe your father would approve?”
“I think Dad would have adored Jayna. He would be deeply amused by her quick wit and impressed with how hard she works.” Why wasn’t he showing her off? He was being self-involved. He was taking advantage of the fact that she didn’t mind quiet evenings. He was also indulging in the way she enjoyed his books.
“So you won’t help your brother?” His mother stood, her chin coming up. “And you won’t help your family?”
“I can’t help Paul if he won’t even give me the tools I need to help him. And if you think I can help the family by breaking things off with the only woman who’s moved me in forever, then no, I won’t help the family and we need to make some decisions about our living arrangements.”
“Are you saying if I don’t accept that woman, you’ll throw me out of my home?”
His mother could be dramatic. “No, but I might buy another house. The apartment is all right for now, but we’ll need some more space if only for the dog.”
Luna poked her nose in. She hung around the office, which was nice because she reminded him to get up and move around from time to time.
His mother looked down at the dog, and her expression softened. “Your father was allergic. I always did like dogs.”
“She’s Jayna’s. She gave up a lot of what her husband owed her so she could keep Luna.” He reached out, and Luna came to sit beside him. “Does that honestly sound like a woman who’s only out for money? There’s always another side to every story. I know your rich friends in New Orleans are going to spout whatever the Shales want them to say, but I believe Jayna. You know, Todd is getting married again. A whole two months after his divorce was finalized, and according to what I’ve heard, his fiancée is at least three months pregnant.”
He could fight gossip with gossip.
His mother looked scandalized. “He was cheating on her?”
“Pretty much through their entire marriage.” He would use sympathy if that was what it took.
His mother stared for a moment. “If I consider giving your... girlfriend a chance, will you think about talking to Paul?”
It was as much as he could expect her to bend, and talking to Paul wouldn’t change a damn thing. “Yes.”
And she’d only asked him to think about it. He could easily do that.
His mother nodded and walked out, the bell over the door ringing when she exited the office.
Quaid sat back with a sigh, watching out the window as his mother strode down the street. He wondered if he shouldgo over to the café. There might still be time to grab some lunch with Jayna, but some of what his mom had said was still sinking in.
He hadn’t taken her on a single date.
