Page 102 of Surviving Love

Mom looked like she wasn’t sure how to react. She cleared her throat. “Er… yes, well, let’s go have some refreshments, shall we?”

Mom led the way into her living room, and I followed, stomach churning. Whether she approved of Jack or not, I wasn’t giving him up, but life would be a lot more pleasant if she liked him.

I sat on the blue sofa, and Jack settled beside me. Mom sat across from us in a red velvet Queen Anne chair. She clasped her hands and continued to scrutinize Jack.

“I’m sorry it took so long to meet,” Jack said. “I’ve been traveling a lot after winning the show. The network booked a bunch of TV appearances for me, and I was contractually obligated to do them.”

It was nice of him to take the blame for them not meeting yet, but the truth was, Mom had stalled being introduced, not him. She’d assumed he would dump me any minute and hadn’t wanted to waste her time meeting him. But Jack hadn’t dumped me; in fact, we were going strong.

“Yes, I’m sure you’ve been very busy.” Mom sniffed and gestured to the lemonade on the coffee table. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Sure.” Jack nodded.

I moved to grab the pitcher. I poured us each a glass and sat back down, still feeling nervous.

“The cookies are sugar-free,” Mom grumbled. “I’m not allowed to enjoy food anymore.”

I sighed. “That isn’t true. You’re just being careful most of the time so you don’t have another problem.”

She didn’t respond; instead, she refocused her attention on Jack. “I heard you bought a house, just so you can be near Mason.”

I winced at her question. She was putting him on the spot, and I didn’t want him to feel obligated to profess his feelings for me in front of her.

“That’s right.” Jack sipped his lemonade, looking unconcerned.

“He… uh… also opened a branch here for his business. That’s really why he bought a house here.” I smiled weakly and took a bite of one of the sugar-free cookies. I grimaced at the flavorless cookie and set it down on my napkin.

Glancing at me, Jack frowned. “I bought the house because of you, Mason. I don’t need to own a home in California to have my business here.”

My face warmed as Mom looked at me. “Oh, yeah, but still,” I muttered.

“No, there is no ‘but.’” Jack laughed and met Mom’s gaze. “I love your son. He knows that, but he gets kind of weird about it in front of people.”

“Yes,” she said softly. “He’s always been like that.”

I frowned at her. “Anyway, Jack owns a company that teaches people to survive in the wilderness.”

“I know. I watched the show. I knowallabout Jack.”

I winced, but Jack chuckled.

“That Harold fella sure was a piece of work. And Luciano, he was a nutcase for sure.” Mom sighed.

“There were a lot of real characters on this season,” I said.

“You sure did pick on my little boy a lot, Jack.” Mom shook her head. “And that Sherry woman, my goodness, she looked at you like you were the last donut on the plate, Jack.”

“God, Mom, what are you… why… don’t saythat.” I gritted my teeth, avoiding Jack’s gaze.

Jack simply smiled and finished off his drink. “That’s really good lemonade.”

“You think so?” Mom looked flattered. “I made it myself.”

“It’s delicious.” He helped himself to another glass. “It reminds me of my mom’s lemonade. She’d always make it for us kids during the summer.”

Mom relaxed back against her chair. “So, you have two brothers, Jack?”

“Yep. Both younger than me.”