look inside. “We’re going to order dessert.”
“Sure.” Her hands came together, but she looked irritated. “What?”
Margo shook her head. “It’s not very ladylike to take that tone.”
“Mom.” Deacon silenced her before it got out of hand. “Two sundaes. And bring the tab with them.” He handed the current one back to her.
She snatched it out of his hand and walked away.
“Wow, what a sore loser,” Margo said with a laugh.
Deacon wore an irritated expression, like he wished this problem would just go away.
“So, what were you saying?” Margo asked.
Deacon was quiet, as if he needed a few seconds to switch topics. “Actually, Derek will be here soon—”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she said. “I love my grandson, and not just because he’s the best grandson in the world. It’s like having Deacon as a child again, so much alike.”
I smiled, having noticed the same thing.
Deacon didn’t appear moved. “He and Valerie are moving here…permanently.”
“Really?” She pressed her hand to her chest and looked at me, like she needed me to verify this.
I nodded.
“Oh my god, that’s spectacular,” Margo said. “I can see my little boy whenever I want?”
“Yes,” Deacon said. “For the most part.”
“I’m not thrilled about Valerie, but I’ll take it.” She clapped her hands together in excitement. “Wow, we’ll all be out here now, in the greatest city on earth. That means Derek will be attending school here in just a few weeks?”
“Yes,” Deacon answered. “Cleo got him into the best school in the state.”
“Great,” she said. “That’s really wonderful. And having his father close by to help him learn and grow… What a blessing.”
Deacon nodded slightly.
“I’m glad Valerie did the right thing,” she said. “Makes me hate her a little less.”
Deacon didn’t correct her assumption.
“Where is she moving?” Margo asked. “Manhattan? Brooklyn?”
“In my building, actually.” Deacon couldn’t hide his irritation when he shared that piece of information. Until he moved, he would have to deal with her. He would see her in the elevator, sometimes in the lobby, and knowing her, she would show up unannounced on his doorstep for midnight drop-ins.
“What?” Margo blurted. “That can’t be right, because when I wanted to live there, the answer was no.”
“A unit just opened up,” I said.
“And the waitlist?” she asked.
I shrugged. “We were able to work something out.”
She glared at Deacon before she smiled. “I’m kidding, baby. I really like my apartment, and Lily is wonderful. I never have to worry about anything. Just take my private car out shopping. It’s quite the life. But Valerie living in the same building? I think we need some boundaries.”
“It was conditional,” I said for Deacon. “She wouldn’t move unless we got her a unit in the building.”
“Ohh…” She grabbed her glass and took a drink. “So, this wasn’t about Derek at all?”
Deacon shook his head.
“Then she’s still a bitch,” Margo said. “A big bitch.”
“Mom.” Even though Deacon hated her more than anyone, he still defended her because she was the mother of his son.
“Oh, come on,” Margo said. “You know it’s true.”
Tess brought the desserts and practically threw them down on the table before she walked away.
Margo watched her go, and then she turned to me. “Maybe not as much of a bitch as that one…”
Deacon drove me back to my apartment. When the driver dropped us off, he told him, “I’ll walk home.” He gave him a tip and then escorted me inside.
I set my purse on the table in the entryway then slipped off my heels because they killed my feet. They were gorgeous and worth an entire paycheck, so I’d suffer through them every day just to get compliments. And they made my ass look amazing.
Deacon stood there, his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
I turned to him, knowing he had something to say judging by his energy.
He stared at me for a while, standing straight, his body strong and sexy. Whether he was angry, happy, or nothing at all, he was so sexy all the time. I wasn’t sure how anyone could work with him and not be distracted all the time. “I told you she’d like you.”
“Yes, it went better than I thought it would.”
“Your expectation was unfounded in the first place.” He sat on the couch and slipped off his dress shoes and socks.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Are you actually upset with me about it?”
With his arms on his thighs and his head bowed, he took a pause. “I just want you to see you the way I see you.” He got