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“Good.”
“That name you gave them… that’s helped quite a bit.”
“Again. Good.”
“From uh, what Dave said. Joshua had no idea those photos had resurfaced again. He turned quite purple at the knowledge.”
Teagan snorted. “I would have very much enjoyed seeing that. The little wimp. But he can writhe in agony, or walk off the edge of Rydell for all I care. I’m moving on.”
Someone cleared their throat again. And all the girls turned to the doorway to see Cassandra standing there, looking very shaken indeed.
She approached the counter, looked at what they were doing with the cake, and reached into the silverware drawer for more spoons.
“Go take that out into the dining room, would you? Brittany? Andrea? Teagan, I’d like to speak with you alone, please…”
Teagan steadied her breathing as Britt and Andrea left the room with the cake.
“Teagan…”
“Mom?” She looked up at her, folding her hands in front of her on the countertop. She wasn’t going to help her say whatever she came in here to say.
“I still don’t personally like Jaxon. He’s a Lawson. And you know my thoughts on that.”
Teagan sighed and shook her head.
“I’m not finished, so please… let me speak and I’ll let you say whatever you want afterward.”
She supposed she owed her at least that. Mom had kept quiet when Teagan had spoken.
“I don’t personally like him. But… I can admit. He’s been good to you. For you. And perhaps you are good for him. And you bring out the best in each other. And in the interest of seeing you more. I will try my hardest to be civil.”
As minute as the offer was, Teagan knew it was fucking difficult for her mother to say it at all. So she reached over to cover her hand with hers. “I know that’s a lot for you.”
“It shouldn’t be. Your father says I let people’s pasts tarnish their present. And I do. I’m guilty of that. And it’s hard for me to look at him and know that he’s good to you. It just doesn’t compute in my mind. But…” she trailed off. “The evidence counters my instinct. So I’m willing to admit it might be faulty.”
Teagan squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Mom. Are you going to tell Jaxon?”
Cassandra looked like she might be sick at the thought, but she nodded anyway. “I’ll tell him. I suppose he’s due at least that courtesy. Just… can you make me a promise?”
“Depends on what it is?”
“Fine. Promise me you’ll not be so cavalier in the discussion of your private time together. I don’t want to know about those details. In fact, I’d rather those details not be shared with me, because I can better pretend they aren’t happening if I don’t know about them.”
“What details might those be?” Teagan asked, laughing.
“Don’t talk about ‘boning’ him or him ‘boning’ you, or otherwise.”
Laughing, Teagan shook her head. “I never have. You’ll have to take that up with Brad because, by my count, he brought it up every single time this evening.”
“Except for the one Shea brought up,” Cassandra added, allowing the corners of her mouth to tug upwards.
She placed both hands on Teagan’s shoulders and turned her so they were facing each other. And then she wrapped her up in a very tight hug that Teagan couldn’t help but melt into. “And I’m sorry. For making you feel as if you couldn’t turn to me with your problems. I’m sorry that I judged you when I shouldn’t have.”
Teagan didn’t reply, simply pressed her lips together for a moment before hugging her mother a bit tighter. “Thank you for saying that.”
“Do you forgive me?”
Teagan smiled, leaning back, nodding. “I do. Forgive you.” Cassandra nodded and walked over to the sink to get a rag to wipe down the counter. When she was nervous, she cleaned. Which explained why every square inch of this house looked like an interior design magazine spread. ”To be clear, Mom. Is it the word you have a problem with, or the concept? Because I’m not sure I’ll be able to pretend the concept isn’t happening.”
