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Reyna took a slow sip of her champagne and I watched as her red lipstick left a slight stain on the glass. Finally, she nodded.
“It makes us appear more serious. People seem to be buying that we’re a real couple. My personal social media has increased in engagement and so has the company’s social media. I think we can create more buzz, especially now that people are really starting to wonder who you are. Moving in together would help us sell this more.”
Sure, the move was good for business. But for purely selfish reasons, I also wanted Reyna around as much as possible, too.
Reyna paused again and looked off toward the cityscape before turning her attention back.
“Obviously, you’ll keep your condo and just move some things into mine. Bring enough of your belongings so you’re not going back and forth,” I rushed to explain. “I can pay for a cleaning service to make sure it stays clean while you’re living with me.”
A slow smile spread across Reyna’s face.
“Living together would be a lot of fun. Have I mentioned I missed you the last few days? I wouldn’t have to miss you as much.” She got close and ran her hand from my shoulder to my neck, where she gazed up at me. God, she was sexy.
“Oh, you can bet I’ll show you a good time.” I winked and that laugh that I was growing too fond of buzzed through my veins again.
“Okay, let’s do it. Just give me a few days to get some stuff together. Maybe this weekend?”
I nodded and grabbed her hand on the table, squeezing it.
Reyna’s hand stiffened, and I looked up to see what she was watching.
“Is that your mom?” Reyna whispered, and I could only nod in response. I sent Reyna a light grimace, and she chuckled softly.
“You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
“Bryce,” Mom admonished as she got to the table. I stood to give her a gentle hug and kiss on the cheek before helping her into a chair. “It’s far too humid outside. I just had my hair done, and it cost a fortune. Did you even think about my hair when you chose the rooftop?”
“My apologies, Mom. Thank you all the same for coming today despite the hardships you have to face.” I loved poking at my mom. I grinned and winked at her, and she playfully hit me on the shoulder.
“Oh, you cheeky thing. This must be your fiancée? I hope you aren't as cheeky towards her.” I could have done without the air quotes around 'fiancée' from my mom.
“Mom, this is Reyna. Reyna, this is Joanne Taylor, my mom.” I finished the introductions and took a deep swallow of champagne. Maybe I should have made it a vodka.
“Mrs. Taylor, it’s really nice to meet you.”
“Joanne, please. You’re supposed to be my future daughter-in-law. We should be on a first-name basis.”
“Oh! I'm honored.” Reyna seemed genuinely taken aback.
“She’s pretty, I’ll give her that,” Mom said to me, as if Reyna weren’t sitting right there. “I’m just a little… surprised you picked her. She’s not quite your type.”
I glanced toward Reyna, who was looking like she was choosing between fighting my mom or just hiding under the table.
“What’s his type?” Reyna’s voice was steely. She was choosing to fight. Now I was the nervous one.
“Oh, you know,” Mom gestured up and down. “Tall, gorgeous, wealthy, model-type women.”
I tried to shoot Mom a warning look, but she was steadfastly not looking in my direction anymore.
“Well, I guess he wanted to try spending time with a woman who had more substance,” Reyna responded, looking unwaveringly directly into Mom's eyes.
I stifled a laugh that sounded like a cough. Mom looked at me sharply. I just shrugged in response. She had started it without any clue that Reyna was no damsel in distress. Reyna knew how to stand her own ground.
“Feisty. Cute,” Mom said dryly, taking a sip from the champagne glass that had appeared in front of her. “Maybe she’ll survive our world after all. She just needs a better wardrobe.” Mom eyed Reyna.
I wasn’t sure if I was surprised or not at her reaction to Reyna. She had seemed more excited at the jewelry store, and my dad had indicated shewantedto meet Reyna. But if I knew Mom, she always felt the need to put people through their paces. It wasn’t her most endearing quality.
