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I couldn’t hide my surprise. He loved the car. We’d always draw straws to see who got to take the sports car to work. Then after I’d decided to separate, I’d left the car in his office garage for him to pick up. It was too painful to be in it without thinking of him.

“You never drove the car after I left it for you in the garage?”

“I didn’t see the point. I didn’t have you to fight with over it.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Answer the call. We’ll talk about how real our marriage is later.”

I touched a button on the display to answer.

“Hello.”

“Samina dear, how are you?” A beautiful Southern Belle accent came over the car’s speakers.

“I’m good, Mrs. Camden.”

“I think it’s time you weren’t so formal with me. After all, you’re married to Devin. Call me Carol, if not mom.”

“Umm…don’t you want an explanation?”

She seemed too calm for my comfort.

“Dev told me how he kept it a secret for his and his father’s careers. I love my son, but he can be so stupid sometimes. Men want to have their cake and eat it too. My question to you is, why did you put up with it? You’re a smart, successful woman. How could you do that to yourself? My son can’t be that good in bed.”

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. If she only knew.

“Mom, I’m on the line. You’re on the car speaker.”

“I know, sweetheart. A reporter just called to inform me you’re out and about and then to ask my opinion of your relationship with liberal attorney Samina Kumar.”

Both Dev and I cringed.

Dev spoke before I could. “What did you say?”

“Well, I told them it was rude to call an unlisted number without permission and then I said Samina isn’t a liberal, she’s an independent. You know how these reporters are, twisting the facts.”

“Mom,” Dev grumbled.

She ignored him and spoke to me. “Samina, I hope you don’t mind, but I told them to leave my daughter-in-law alone.”

“No, I don’t mind. I’m sorry the reporter bothered you.”

“It was nothing. I deal with worse on a regular basis. I can’t believe that nosy man called you a liberal. Do you remember all those debates you and Jacinta would get into in your apartment when I’d visit? I paid attention. I’m more liberal than you are on certain matters.”

“Mom, focus.”

“Devin James Camden, I don’t know how people mistake you for a Southern gentleman. You are as rude as a toddler who thinks his toy is stolen. I have no idea where I went wrong.”

I started laughing. Conversations with Mrs. Camden…Carol, were always like this.

She was one of the kindest women I’d ever met. She loved with all her heart, and if she took you into her circle, you were hers for life.

In public, she portrayed the always-poised Southern lady who never was fazed by the ups and downs of being married to a politician. But in private, she was a force when riled. Even the formidable Richard Camden was afraid of his wife’s temper on the rare occasions when it appeared.

“He has certain charms that make us want to keep him around.” I laughed up at Dev.

“Hilarious, ladies.” His hand moved to my thigh and inched upward but stopped when I clamped my thighs to keep him from going further. “I’m glad I’m here to humor you.”

My pulse accelerated, and my nipples hardened to stiff peaks.

Dammit. Why did his slightest touch affect me?