me again, just a little tighter, before he let me go. “Look at me.”
I turned my face up, met his bright green gaze.
The low burn of anger and love battled in their depths. “I want you to get along with her. But if you don’t want her here right now, then I’ll send her away.”
I gulped, tried to push down the sound of my pulse in my ears. The first—and last—time I’d met Daphne Sheridan, it hadn’t gone well. Like, at all. Jessa had been my champion during that kerfuffle. Then Ryker slapped her back for her bad behavior.
I’d like to get along with Daphne. At least be on friendly terms since I was keeping her son. Maybe even get close enough to enjoy the odd lunch sometime. But that wouldn’t happen if I couldn’t woman up. None of it would.
I swallowed, gathered up my courage. Nodded. “I’d like to get along with her, too.”
He crushed his mouth to mine. “I’ll make her leave if she gets mouthy or disrespectful.”
Inside I cheered. Outside, I just smiled. “We’ll see how we both do.”
He set me on my feet and went to the elevator. It opened just as he reached it. The doors slid open, admitting one Daphne Sheridan—elegant family law lawyer and pissed off, protective mother—into our midst.
I winced when I saw her eye the collection of clothes and suitcases littering the floor like the dead after a war. Awesome second first impression. My smile was a little weak at the edges as I walked over to her.
“Hello again, Mrs. Sheridan.” I held out a hand, tried to project confidence and being at ease.
She gripped my hand. “Willow. Lovely to see you again.” Her smile was a little wilted, but I was chalking that up to maybe her having a bad day. As she released my hand, she stepped back.
We stared at each other for a bit. I could feel myself wanting to shrivel up and die. Or throw myself out a window somewhere. Did penthouse windows open? Was that a thing? I could scream my love for Ryker as I plummeted to my death.
“Well, this has been sufficiently awkward enough. Willow, I apologize for my rude behavior on our prior meeting,” Mrs. Sheridan said.
My gaze flew to hers. Was I actually hearing this woman apologize? I nodded. “And I apologize for…stuff.” I waved my hand in a vague arc. I wasn’t really sure what I should be apologizing for, but I figured I should give it a shot.
Her chuckle was rueful. She smiled, easing the stern look in her face. “You’ve nothing to apologize for. Standing up for my son, to his own mother no less, took no small measure of brass ones. If you can do that, and you make him happy, then I’d like to get to know you.” She looked around the room. “And the last time I checked, my son wasn’t a crossdresser, so I’m assuming these clothes are yours.”
I snorted. “Ryker in a jumpsuit?” I shuddered. “Yeah, these are mine. I’m just cleaning them out, honestly. Too many—” I clamped my lips shut. This woman didn’t need to know the nitty gritty of my trauma.
Her eyes lit with understanding. “Of too many.” She nodded. “I remember doing something similar when I left Ryker’s father. We women cope in whatever ways we can.” She looked me up and down. “Too bad I’m not shorter or you’re not taller. I’d think I’d like your style.”
I laughed again. Looked at my yoga pants and sweatshirt. “Yeah, house cleaning style really is all the rage these days.”
I looked at her elegant slim black pants, flowy sapphire blue silk shirt, and tall stiletto heels that she’d paired with tasteful chunky gold jewelry. As if this woman even knew was casual comfy wear even was. “Is this one of those girl moments when we try to out-compliment each other?” I asked, raising a brow.
Her laughter reminded me of a much younger woman. “Perhaps. But that wasn’t my intention. You’re very direct.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Unless you’re a guy—”
Ryker cleared his throat. Glared at me.
I smiled. “I really only did the flirting chat thing before I met Ryker. I don’t really bother with pleasantries with women. We tend to confuse ourselves too often and then get butthurt when we don’t understand what’s really going on.”
Ryker choked, coughed. Choked some more. I got concerned when his face went red and his mouth gaped like a fish.
I rushed over to him. “What can I do?”
He