Page 15 of Provocation (Temptation 3)

Boy, did I ever.

“She committed suicide, Mama. Just like—”

I held up my hand. “It’s not him, Imogene.”

I refused to refer to Nick as her father. He lost that right the second he devalued another life.

“What I wanted to talk to you about has nothing to do with him. I promise.”

She tilted her head. “But there is something you want to tell me?”

At the slight nervousness in her voice, I squeezed her leg. “It’s a good thing. It just might take some…adjustment. It’s a bit of a change for me.”

“We’re not moving, are we?”

“No. Nothing like that.”

“Then what is it?”

I reached for her hand, gently grabbing it. “You know I love you very much, right? That you will always be my priority, no matter what?”

“I know…,” she drew out, studying me warily.

“No matter what happens, that will never change. Every decision I make is with you in mind.”

“Why are you telling me this? What’s going on? Are you okay? Did something happen in Hawaii?”

I couldn’t help but smile at the irony in her question. “Actually, baby, something did happen in Hawaii. Something good. Something exceptional, really.”

“What is it? Is it the bakery? Was the opening a huge success?”

“Well, yes, it was. We’re exploring the possibility of opening more locations on a few of the other islands. But that’s not what I want to tell you.”

I licked my lips, steeling myself for this conversation.

“You see, when I was in Hawaii, I kind of…met someone.”

Her eyes widened, evidencing her initial shock. Then her expression turned more conniving. “Like, a guy?”

“Yes, Imogene,” I replied, ignoring the teasing quality of her voice. “Most definitely a guy. Someone I’ve grown quite fond of, to be honest.”

She stared at me for several moments, obviously surprised at my confession, especially now that she knew I wasn’t joking. That this was real. That after years, I’d finally met someone.

Then she jumped off her stool and flung her arms around me. “That’s amazing, Mama!” she squealed. “I’m so happy for you.”

She pulled back, eyes lit up with an enthusiasm I hadn’t quite expected.

“Who is he? Is he from Hawaii? Is this a long-distance thing? Or was he there on vacation and lives somewhere on the mainland? What’s he like? What’s his name? How did you meet? Oh, my god. I want to know everything.”

Before I could even attempt to answer, she hugged me again, bouncing on her toes, unable to contain her excitement.

“I’m just so stinking happy for you, Mama. You deserve this. So much.”

I sighed, placing my hand on Imogene’s back as I savored in her warmth and affection. “I love you, Imogene.”

She allowed me to hold her for another moment, then pulled away, hoisting herself back onto her stool. Grabbing a piece of stromboli, she dipped it into the marinara sauce, then shoved it into her mouth, chewing a few moments before swallowing.

“Now, tell me everything about him. And don’t leave out a single detail.”