Page 139 of Silk Sheets

“How’d you know?” I mumbled.

“You thinkyouwould’ve been here had Inotsnuck a man around?” she almost reminded me and my jaw dropped in disbelief. She hugged me again, saying goodbye to meand‘the naughty man in the bathroom’, before leaving my bedroom.

I immediately shut my bedroom door, sighing in relief.

THIRTY-FIVE

LOGAN

Originally, I had planned to leave for the weekend to visit my parents up in the mountains.

I didn’t want to leave Dakota, but my mother was a force to be reckoned with.

When Dakota found out I was going up into the mountains she was ecstatic.

She begged me to let her come, not knowing that I was visiting my parents. When she found out her smile wavered and she took back what she said.

I didn’t mind letting her meet my family. She was intelligent, kind, joyous and overall a beautiful woman. The idea scared her but she put on a brave face and was back to being excited.

So naturally, wherever Dakota went, the rest of us followed. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I knew she needed to get away after a dreadful two months of us being apart from each other.

She spent half of the flight asleep and the other half stuffing her face with food. The guys and I quickly understood that she was stress eating—she wasn’t the biggest fan of flying.

Now, her and I were in my car, driving up to the mountains while Chase and Kaden followed behind us in Kaden’s car.

* * *

“You brought your friends! That’s amazing!” my mother beamed as she charged towards me.

Susanna was about five foot tall with long brown curls cascading down her back. Her baby blue eyes always glistened even in the darkest days, and the energy that surrounded her could recharge anyone.I liked coming back here.

She engulfed me in her arms before doing the same to Chase and Kaden.

She let out a surprised gasp as her eyes landed on Dakota. She looked at me with hopeful eyes and Dakota entwined her fingers with mine.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs Hale,” she smiled.

“It’s a miracle!” my mother gasped, putting both hands on her head before yanking Dakota into her arms. “It’s so lovely to meet you, sweetheart. But call me Susanna. Or mom. Or anything.”

“Mom, please,” I sighed and the look on her face was like never before seen excitement. With her smile not wavering, she shooed me away and only then did I realize how badly she wanted this for me.

“I’m so happy for you baby,” she swooned, squeezing my cheek in her hand and I smiled, pulling her hand off my face. Unfortunately, I would never be a grown man in her eyes.

The guys and I all knew the minute my mother had a gut feeling that I was ill, she’d drop everything and show up at our front door. I’d be forced to stay in bed while she pampered and catered to my every need. It would always end up with hercuddling me, and the first time it happened I had to remind her that I was a grown man who didn’t need to be coddled.

All she did in response was hold me tighter and kiss the top of my head whispering, “I know.” I knew then and there that it wasn’t for me, but for her. I was her only child, and according to her, I grew up way too fast.

“Austin! Come meet Logan’s precious girlfriend!” she called out to my dad as she whipped around, disappearing into the house.

Dakota’s body relaxed beside mine as she let go of my hand.

“Before you get mad at me,” she started, turning to look at all three of us. “Did you see the pure joy on his mother’s face. How could I rip that away from her,” she defensively said.

“It was a selfish decision to make,” Kaden announced—sounding bitter—and Chase agreed.

Dakota glanced over at me for some sort of assurance and I couldn’t help but grin.

“Logan,” Kaden almost reprimanded, and I shifted my eyes to him.