Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,9
tongue. Caroline shared a lifetime worth of secrets with me. She offered me more trust than anyone ever had, and that included my boys. Anything else she decided to share would be on her terms. I’d never pry.
“Why did you choose Adam in the end?” she asked. “I remember you pouring over baby books.”
“Adam was a simple, uncomplicated name. Like I prayed his life would be.”
Caroline reclined on the chaise, sweeping her feet up and taking the blanket I held out for her. She smiled up at the stars, basking in the beauty they reflected in each other. Caroline wore remission extremely well. Not that she didn’t look like a supermodel even in the midst of her illness. But the color in her cheeks and the weight settling nicely on her bones did wonders for her.
She’d taken to spending every night on the terrace with me, a book, or a glass of wine. “Life is too short to be cooped up inside.”
I copied her, letting out a relaxed sigh as I reached for my cider. “I had an ulterior motive for crashing your terrace time.”
“Oh?”
“My mom flies in tomorrow,” I began. “She’s going home first to make sure the renters didn’t trash the place and spend a few days getting situated. I was hoping after that she could come stay with us?”
“Valentina,” she said. “You and Olivia know you don’t have to ask. She can stay as long as she likes. She can move in if she wants to. We have plenty of extra rooms.”
I laughed because I knew she was serious. “Apparently I’m the bird that stays very firmly in the nest. Just me, you, Adam, my mom, and my four boyfriends. One big happy family.”
“We are one big happy family.” She clinked our glasses. “I’d say you could move out and get a place of your own, but Ryder isn’t interested in going too far from me and he’s even less interested in you getting too far from him.”
“I wouldn’t make it past the driveway.”
We giggled, nearly choking on our drinks.
A dry voice broke into our laughter. “I can sense you two talking about me.”
“Is that what you think we do, my love?” Caroline replied. “Just sit out here gossiping about you.” She shot me a wink.
“That’s exactly what I think you do.” Ryder lifted me without preamble and sat me in his lap, stretching us out on the chaise.
I buried my head in the crook of his neck, breathing him in. Ryder always smelled like spearmint spritzed with expensive cologne. It gave me the heady urge to throw him down and have my way with him. Mess up that perfectly coiffed hair. Rake my nails over his unblemished skin. And refuse to let up until he smelled of sex, sweat, and me, me, me.
“Are you warm enough, Mom?” he asked. “Want me to get you another blanket?”
“It’s eighty degrees, dear.” She stroked his cheek. “I’m fine. All I want is for you to tell me about your day.”
“I met with the lawyers to discuss the buyout of Milkemoss Industries. It should move ahead without a problem. They also finished work on the day care. I was thinking I’d bring Adam in on Monday. He’s got to walk around the office. Sit in the big chair that will one day be his.”
Groaning, I said, “Don’t. I was just moaning about my baby turning six. I can’t picture him grown and taking over a company.”
Ryder shrugged off his jacket and draped it over me. It was still eighty degrees but his instinct to take care of those he loved was strong.
“Is the party out here?” Jaxson poked his head out the sliding glass door. “Because I’ve got the food.”
“Oooh. Then you’re definitely invited,” I said.
Jaxson swept out carrying a tray and was followed by Ezra and Maverick who were carrying one of their own.
“Mini empanadas, goat cheese bruschetta, and mille-feuille,” he announced.
“Spanning the continents,” I said. “I love it.”
“What are we talking about?” asked Ezra.
Ryder fed me a piece of bruschetta. I answered around my mouthful. “Summer plans. My mom is coming to stay with us. Adam is stepping into his destiny, and Caroline and I are meant for more nights reclining on the terrace.”
She held up her glass. “That we are.”
Jaxson hopped on top of us, pulling a shriek out of me, and a growl from Ryder. He ignored my grumpy love and made himself comfortable. “We signed a new band, baby, and we’ve got a tour lined