The Boy Who Has No Belief - Victoria Quinn Page 0,3

myself moving in here, coming home here every day, the three of us being a family.

But I had to shut that down—quick.

That was a looooong ways away…if it happened at all.

My phone rang in my pocket, so I pulled it out and checked the screen.

It was Cleo.

Not my old mentor…but my man’s mother.

Our dinner went well and everything felt comfortable, but I still felt a bit foolish for the way I’d spoken to her in the past. All the evidence was right in front of me, but I was too stupid to notice.

Whatever. What’s done is done.

I answered. “Hey, Cleo. How are you?”

“I’m great. How about you?”

“Just at Derek’s place right now, getting things tidied up.” I immediately reverted to our previous relationship because that was all I really knew.

“I’m going to be free in an hour. I was wondering if you wanted to get a coffee or something?”

Why? “Sure. I can do that.”

“I’ll text you. Talk soon.” She hung up.

I immediately called Derek even though he was working because I didn’t know what else to do.

He answered right away. “Hey, baby.” He was probably at his desk in the lab, going over the final schematics of the rocket even though he needed to move on to his next project.

“Your mom just called me…wants to get coffee.”

He was quiet for a long time. “Is that it, or…?”

“Do you know why?”

“Do I know why what?”

“Why she wants to talk to me.”

He was quiet again. “Based on my reaction, I think you already know. I’m not sure what the problem is.”

“I guess I’m just nervous.”

“I thought the dinner went well.”

“It did. I just…I don’t know.”

Silence stretched across the line like he didn’t know what to say. “Look, my parents mean the world to me, but if they didn’t like you, it wouldn’t change anything. Because I know who you really are, and whatever reason they would have to dislike you would be invalid. But they do like you, so there’s no reason to be uneasy around her. My parents are the kindest people on the planet. I like it when you’re confident and strong. That’s what attracted me to you in the first place. So, don’t lose that for anyone—even my mother.”

I sighed into the phone. “Okay.”

“I have to go. I’ll see you later.” He hung up.

I put the phone back in my pocket and told myself to buck up…and be myself.

When I walked in the door, she rose from her chair to greet me with a warm smile and an affectionate hug, rubbing my back with the same motherly touch my own mother gave me. Her energy was infectious, like she was a genuinely happy person who filled everyone else with happiness. “It’s so nice to see you. Ooh, I love your boots.”

“Thanks,” I said as I pulled away.

“It’s happy hour, so I got you one of their pumpkin drinks.” She took a seat and crossed her legs, sitting upright with perfect posture, like she was a princess.

I sat across from her. “Oh, that’s thoughtful. Thank you.” I tried to drink my coffee black to cut out all the calories and sugar, but I definitely preferred it this way, all sweet and delicious. I took a drink and immediately appreciated the taste. “Wow, that’s good.”

“I know.” She took a drink of hers too. “All we have at home is almond milk and crap like that, so when I go out without Deacon, I get the worst thing I possibly can.”

“That sounds like a good utilization of your time.”

She chuckled.

“Why is he like that?”

She shrugged. “I think it’s because he takes care of sick people all day and he believes diet is directly responsible for your health, so he’s just really particular. When we first got together, it drove me up the wall, but now I’m just used to it. And honestly, I’ve never gained weight, my skin looks good, so I guess I have him to thank for that.”

“Yeah, you’re both hot.”

She grinned at my comment.

“I just mean you look good…” I didn’t want her to think I had the hots for her husband. That would be weird. But Derek and his father looked like brothers, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find Deacon attractive…and would love to have a husband who aged like that.

She chuckled. “Thank you.”

“So, what’s new with you?”

“Nothing, really. I work all day and go home to Deacon. Pretty boring. My kids are all out of the house living their lives, and I try