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As if by some divine, immediate answer to prayer, my phone goes off. I’m holding it in my hand, and I turn the face to see a text from Chad asking if I’m busy Friday.

That’s how I ended up here, at the Blue Crab in a navy long-sleeved, silk V-neck romper with gold chains and my hair styled over my shoulder. I toned down the Bettie Page routine for Chad’s mom, although I have no idea what to expect.

I don’t know anything about his family, other than they live in Charleston, they lost a daughter, and they sent a son to military school. Still, something tells me she’s a formal lady.

I’m standing in the foyer holding my beige clutch, when I look up and see him coming through the glass front doors. My hand goes out to catch the side of the hostess stand. I didn’t anticipate my body’s response to seeing him for the first time in nearly a week.

An exhale hisses through my lips, and my stomach does a flip. Chad in a suit is even sexier than Chad in his uniform. He’s actually not in a suit, now that I look closer. He’s in dark jeans, a white shirt with navy stripes, and a blue blazer. It all looks amazing with his dark hair and those eyes holding mine.

That’s when I see his mother, and I shift in my heels. It’s clear where Chad’s elegant features come from. His mother is tall with swept back, shoulder-length white hair and high cheekbones. Her nose is small, and her eyes are the exact same color as her son’s—only hers are like lasers, focused on me.

Striding through the door, she’s dressed in beige pants, a cream silk shirt with a dark blazer on top. She’s kind of amazing… and a lot scary.

Chad escorts her to where I’m holding on for dear life to the hostess stand, my heart beating too fast in my chest.

Yes, I did miss you, Chad Tucker…

“You look very elegant,” he whispers, leaning forward to kiss my cheek.

Holy shit. My eyes close, and my panties ignite when his soft lips touch my skin. I catch his arm as a seductive wave of clean, manly Chad-scent surrounds me.

He straightens just as fast. “Mother, I’d like you to meet Tabitha Green. Tabby, this is my mom. Evelyn Tucker.”

“How do you do, Mrs. Tucker?” I get it together and hold out my hand, remembering the tiny bit of etiquette we were taught in grade school.

“How do you do.” She shakes my hand, running her cool eyes over my outfit, my hair. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Table for three? Or are you expecting one more?” I don’t know the perky hostess, and I guess she must be a college kid.

“Three,” Chad answers, and she leads us through the sparsely filled restaurant to a table by the window.

I can’t help thinking it’s too bad the sun has already set. The Blue Crab has amazing views of the ocean. I worked here for about four months last year while I was going to community college.

“Tabitha.” His mom studies me once we’re all seated and have our menus. “That’s an interesting name. Are you from around this area?”

“Yes, ma’am. I grew up in Oceanside.”

Thankfully the waiter walks up at that moment. “Welcome to the Blue Crab. My name is Kyle. Can I start you off with some drinks tonight?”

Chad answers first. “I’ll have a scotch on the rocks. Mom, a martini?”

“Yes, dry please with an olive.”

“Vodka or gin?” Perky Kyle is looking at his pad, so he doesn’t see the withering glare Chad’s mom gives him.

“It’s not a martini if it’s made with vodka. It’s a kangaroo cocktail.”

“I’m sorry?” He finally looks at her, and his eyes widen slightly.

“She’ll have gin,” Chad cuts in. “Brooklyn, or Beefeater if you don’t have it.”

“I’ll have the same.” I nod, wishing I could make it a double.

I’ve never been afraid of an adult in my life, but Chad’s mother scares the shit out of me. Does Chad care about her opinion? If so, how much?

“Thank you, Charles, it is so hard to find a decent waiter these days.” She sighs, looking at the menu. “Your father and I have just about given up dining out unless we can get a table at Circa.”

Charles? That’s something he didn’t tell me.