Page 82 of Unbound

“Deidre is like that. She can talk to anyone.” Walker shakes his head. “It’s really impressive.”

“I know, but my mom is actually talking back.” I tip my head, trying to make sense of what I’m seeing. “You think she’s always been like this with her friends?”

I’m sure my mom has to have some friends. At the very least a few hygienists she got along with. Maybe a sales rep or two she didn’t terrify.

“Maybe it’s retirement making her more relaxed.” Walker makes the comment casually. Like everyone knows that information.

Everyone does not.

“Retirement?” My head whips toward where he sits at my side. “She’s retired?”

He ducks his head in a nod. “Said she got an offer to sell the practice and did it.”

So now my mother is talking to Walker too? Am I seriously the only person she doesn’t know how to communicate with?

“Maybe you should be the one to ask her about our parents having an affair.” I frown as I turn back to my shockingly chatty mother. “She seems way more inclined to tell you shit than she’s ever been with me.”

“She would’ve told you.” He gives a lock of my hair a little tug. “But you were being a good girl and taking a nap.”

That has my attention snapping back to the man next to me. The man I’m gonna be sleeping in the same bed as tonight. Surely we’re going to fuck, right?

I press my hands to my heated cheeks, trying to look less like I’m imagining what it’s going to be like. “It feels wrong having you call me a good girl here in the presence of my mother and your aunt.”

“You’re going to have to get over shit like that, because your mother is about to be sleeping in the room next to us.” His voice is low in my ear. “And I plan to do a lot more than call you a good girl when we get home.”

Yup. I’m pretty sure that means we’re fucking.

Jumping up from my seat, I announce in an overly loud voice, “I’m tired. I’m ready to go home.”

Was that obvious? I feel like it was obvious.

But I don’t feel like anyone could blame me. Walker is so fucking hot and so fucking good and so fucking attentive, and I’m pretty sure I’m about to have the best sex of my life.

Which I would like to begin as soon as possible.

It’s been a stressful day. I feel like letting off some steam would benefit us both. Might do it twice, just to make sure.

“Already?” My mother is acting like it’s not past her bedtime. As if she would like to stay here and have a freaking sleepover with her new BFF.

“Just because they leave, doesn’t mean you have to.” Deidre focuses on where Walker and I sit in the small seating area tucked into one corner of her kitchen. “I can bring her back home whenever she gets tired.” Her eyes move to my mother. “Of course, I also have a spare room here you’re more than welcome to use if we partake in a little too much wine.”

Now that I’m really paying attention, they do both look a little glassy-eyed and pink-cheeked. I think the too much partake ship has sailed.

I’d feel bad about ditching my mother here, except I’m pretty sure Deidre is having just as good of a time as my mom is. She’s for sure not enjoying her time with Constance, and it probably is nice to have someone her own age to chat with. A woman who has also owned her own business and wouldn’t be caught dead using green onion when a recipe calls for shallots.

“You are so amazing.” My mom reaches out to pat Deidre’s arm. “I know I keep saying that.”

“You do.” Deidre pats her back, flashing a grin. “Don’t stop.”

Walker watches the two women continue gushing over each other. “I say we leave her here. Let Ted deal with them.”

“Agreed.” Grabbing the flannel I stole from Walker my first night here from the chair I slung it over when we got here, I swing it onto my arms. “Have fun girls. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Deidre and my mom both give us distracted waves as they laugh so hard over I probably don’t want to know what, they’re wheezing. My plan was to talk to my mom about the letter as soon as she got here. Rip the Band-Aid right off. But discussing whether or not my dad might have been cheating on her when he died is probably not a great idea when she’s inebriated.

Or any other time, honestly.

Walker’s steps are so quick as we go to the UTV, I have to jog to keep up with him. When he leans across to buckle me in, I stare at his profile in the shadowy darkness, my belly clenching in excitement over what’s coming.