Page 121 of Forbidden Kisses

"Mom,” I cut in. “It's been my dream for a long time. I promised you at my graduation, remember?"

"I do, but I also remember shutting you down and telling you to go buy yourself something nice with that first paycheck."

"I promise I'll buy something with the next one. How about that?"

"Yes, and please send me pictures. Paula, please promise you won't let your sister waste any more money on me."

Paula's eyes went wide. "I will do no such thing. I'll spoil you as soon I get some decent money too."

Mom shook her head. Oh, she had no idea about all the plans I had. I was going to get her out of that trailer and put her in a proper house, but all in due time.

"Now, tell me about that lovely man of yours,” Mom said. “I've heard a lot about him from your sister, but you're not very talkative."

I smiled, shrugging. "You know I don't say much."

"Really? With me you do," Paula said. "Mom, everything I relay to you I know from Riley, but for some reason, she's embarrassed to talk to you about him."

Mom looked at me. "Well, be that as it may, I'm very happy that you two are in a good place."

I sighed. "I'm not so sure wearein a great place. Jeremy, well, he had some sort of virus or something affect his stomach this week. I wanted to drop by and see him a few times, but Duncan kept insisting that I should focus on work. Like somehow he and Jeremy would stand in my way."

No one said anything for a few seconds. I was almost wondering if they’d heard me when Mom said, "That sounds like a man who cares about you a lot. I like him even more."

"Really? It doesn't sound like he's trying to push me away?"

"Oh hell no," Paula said. "I think Duncan's ways can be gruff at times, but his heart is in a good place."

I laughed. "Yes, he can be a bit gruff.

“But from what I’ve heard, he's been so wonderful to you and Paula,” Mom added.

"Yes, he has," Paula said. "And I am so grateful."

That’s right. Everything Duncan did to help out Paula made me wonder why he didn't understand that I wanted to take care of him and Jeremy. I was going to find out once I was back.

"I don't know about you, Mom, but I can practically hear the lawyer in her putting together an argument," Paula said.

I chuckled. "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing."

"Let's get out of here, girls,” Mom suggested. “It’s like fog in here, and I want to see your faces when I'm talking to you."

"Amen," I said, and we all hurried out of the steam room.

I definitely preferred the sauna. The humid heat was hell on its own.

After showering, we went over to what was called a silence room. It was just us in here, which honestly was amazing.

"I can still feel those neurons moving," Paula said as I closed my eyes.

"Hey, how about we all just enjoy the silence?" I suggested.

"Yep, our neurons do work better in silence. I'll just say one thing before," Mom whispered.

I started to laugh.

"I'm glad that you’ve softened, sweetheart, and that you’re trusting your man with your heart."

I was so surprised that I opened my eyes, looking at her. We were close enough that she could take my hand and put it on her cheek.