Page 89 of Mr. Red

“Later,” he responds, stepping through the door.

I follow him in to get another cup.

~

We arrive three hours later at a house on stilts with a backdrop of the ocean.

Matt parks the truck, leaving the engine running. “We’re here.”

“This is nice. Right on the water.”

“It is. I gave my mom the down payment so she could get it a couple years ago. I wanted her to have the home of her dreams. Especially after everything she did for me. We used to live in a mobile home, not far from here. She’s always liked the water. She wouldn’t let me buy the entire house, though. Stubborn woman. Anyway, you ready?” He taps my thigh.

I nod my head with a gulp. I haven’t mettheparents in years, let alone parents from another state. I’m nervous. I like Matt and I know his mom means a lot to him, which will mean her opinion will mean a lot to him, I’m guessing. I want to make a good impression.

He turns the truck off and goes to get out. He comes to my side, closes the door, and puts his arm around my lower waist.

I look up at him. “Can I get some alcohol as soon as we step in the door?”

“They don’t have alcohol in the house, sweetheart. My mom doesn’t drink and once my dad went sober, they threw out the alcohol.” He gives me a pity smile. “You’ll be okay.” He kisses the top of my forehead.

I nod with my stomach doing flips. “Of course. I forgot. Makes sense.”

I fidget with my hands, taking the several steps up to the front door, passing a tall flagpole with a giant Texas flag flailing about. I look at the waves crash from the wraparound porch.

The door opens to a small figure with hair in a tight bun before Matt can knock. He’s embraced by his mother in a tight hug. Her smile pops over Matt’s shoulder with a small tear in her eye. Her skin is clear, not a wrinkle in sight. Itmust be all this humidity. It keeps you moisturized.

“You must be Scarlett,” she says with an inviting smile after she lets go of her son. “I’m so happy to meet you.” She gives me a brief hug and places one of her hands on my shoulder. My shoulders drop from my ears at her touch. I let out the breath I’ve been holding in.

“Please come in.” She opens her other arm towards her home.

“Thank you! It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Reding.”

“We don’t do formal here. Call me Libby.”

I smile, thankful for her warm welcome. I don’t know why I was worried. I’ve got this.

We walk into a living room filled with family photos over the mantel, at least five plants, several pillows on the sofa, and a lot of wooden furniture.

“How was y’all’s trek out here?” Libby asks.

“Just fine, mom.”

“Glad there wasn’t a storm. This weather never gives you any warning—changes every thirty minutes. Your father passed out in his chair. Again. He’s had a day with the fence. Maybe you could help him later? He didn’t quite finish it.”

“Yeah, sure. I’m going to grab a drink. You want anything, sweetheart?”

“Just a water.”

He nods.

Libby talks to his back. “I got your favorite soda and fizzy water. It’s nice to see my only son, you know.” She turns to me. “Scarlett, thank goodness you came around. Not sure when he would come back to his parents if it wasn’t for you. Taking that funny job out in Washington, of all things.”

My face heats. “Yes, thankfully he made it to the west. I wouldn’t have met him otherwise.”

She looks at me with an expression I can’t quite place. Maybe she’s thinking I’m excited about his money and crazy cars.Nope.I’m not going there. She can think whatever she wants. I’m going to be me, and Iamexcited I met Matt. So there.

“Whatever is meant to be, will find a way.” She grins. She looks around the room, then whispers, “I’m fixing to make myself a drink, would you like one?”