Page 98 of Anyone But You

“If you say so.”

I heard Amelia animatedly talking, and the sound of my mother’s kitten heels against the floor made my stomach tie in knots.

My eyes stung from unexpected tears as I laid eyes on my mother. She looked exactly how I remembered, save for more gray streaks in her dark hair and deeper crow’s feet. She was a slight woman who stood 5’3” in stature but still appeared as strong as an ox.

“Oh, Gio. You look as handsome as ever—just like your father,” she said with outstretched hands. I grasped them gently in mine and kissed both of her cheeks before enveloping her in a hug.

“You flatter me. It’s good to see you again, Ma.”

“You, too, Gio. I’m so happy you’re home!”

She pulled away and stared up at me with brown eyes, shiny from tears. “My handsome boy.”

“Ma, I want you to meet my wife, Victoria.”

“Wife? When did you get married?” she asked, sounding appalled.

“On the island.”

She waved her hand around like she was swatting at flies—something she always did when I used to tell her something foolish when I was a child.

“If you weren’t married by a priest, then it doesn’t count,” she argued. “You shouldn’t make a mockery of marriage.”

“There were no priests on the remote island we were stranded on. This is my wife, Victoria,” I introduced, smoothing a hand down Victoria’s back.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Ramsey. We’re so glad to have you in our home,” Victoria greeted graciously. Victoria’s broad and dazzling smile made my heart skip a beat, as it always did. My mother? Her lips were screwed tighter than a butthole.

This won’t be good.

“Hmph.Ourhome? This is my son’s home. Don’t get beside yourself.”

“On that note, I’ll be dining upstairs.”

* * *

I trotted behind my wife, who made a beeline for the stairs.

“Okay. Let’s hit the redo button,” I pleaded, hoping I could convince Victoria to give my mother another chance.

“I warned you, Knoxovanni,” Victoria said as she ascended the stairs.

Knoxovanni? She’s efficient. I’ve always admired that about her.

She was gone before I could try to persuade her again. I should’ve known better and taken her at her word. When she said something, she meant it.

I shook my head and left, finding my mother surveying the spread of food.

“Let’s talk, Ma,” I said, pulling out a chair and motioning for her to sit.

“Gi—”

“Sit or get out ofourhouse,” I demanded, leaving no room for argument. My mother took my strongly worded suggestion and promptly sat with her hands in her lap and her legs crossed at the ankle.

“A very wise, loving, and caring person once told me that you should treat everyone with dignity and respect, and that person was my mother. So, you can imagine how your rude behavior toward my wife within three seconds of meeting her might make me a little unsettled.”

“I’m—”

“Let me finish, Mother.”