Because he was happy.
It was only eleven in the morning, and already Skylar had knocked it out of the park.
For breakfast, she’d taken them to the Porter House Arboretum, a magnificent indoor garden—considered the largest greenhouse in the world. Landscape designers rented plots to display their skills, creating settings filled with flowers, hedges, trees, and fountains. The opposite of Vegas, the place was quiet and peaceful and hosted various clubs like book, bocce ball, chess, dominoes, and poker.
Right there, while they’d had breakfast at the café, his mom had left them to go join a gardening class and the book club. Fuck, yeah.
And now…this? Brilliant. “How did you know?” Jinx watched his mom race the Maserati around the track.
“The whole time we were walking around yesterday and last night, she noticed every flashy car that passed us by. When that Porsche came tearing around a corner, she said something like, ‘I like the way the air-cooled 911s purr,’ and I thought, Okay, we’re getting this woman behind the wheel.”
The moment his mom had pulled off her helmet after the first session, he’d known Skylar had found something important. His mom’s eyes had glittered with excitement. Who knew this woman who lived in scrubs and ate frozen dinners would be a speed demon? Right on the spot, he’d paid for a second one.
He couldn’t have been more impressed with Skylar. “You pay attention.”
“It’s different for me. She’s not my mom. You’re worried about her.”
“Nah, it’s different perspectives. I’m looking for what’s wrong. You’re looking for what interests her.” All these years—the wasted vacations and gifts. “I feel like an asshole.”
“Oh, cut it out. You’re a great son. We’re only here today because you never gave up.” She leaned against him—just a touch of shoulders—and he stopped breathing.
He got a hit of her sweet, feminine scent and a view into the V-neck of her blouse, revealing the swells of her breasts. Need roared through him, making him embarrassingly aroused.
If she were his, he’d let her know every day of her life how beautiful and wanted she was.
“So, tonight…what made you pick this particular club we’re going to?” His mom didn’t like loud music or dancing or any kind of night life.
“Every time we passed by a club, she did this.” She winced and closed her eyes.
He smiled. “That’s exactly what she does.”
“But do you remember when that limo pulled up outside the Bellagio and those older couples got out?”
“You mean the men in suits? And that woman in a dress that…” He motioned behind his neck.
“Yes, the halter dress. It had a cinched waist and a full skirt, and the women looked old school glamorous. Maybe I’m crazy, but I thought I saw something in her eyes—something like longing.”
“You’re not crazy.” A memory hit him. “Sunday used to be the day we cleaned house. From the time I was old enough to hold a duster, I had chores. My mom would put on music, and the three of us would clean.” He’d forgotten about that. “It didn’t feel like cleaning. It felt like the three of us doing something together. I remember her playing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Songs from that era.” Another memory came. “And she liked Gene Kelly movies. She watched the classics.” Jesus, how had Skylar picked that up about his mom? “I can’t believe you caught that from one look.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. She’s going to love this place.” Skylar grinned. “Right after she’s done here, let’s take her shopping. We’ll get her something glamorous to wear. I think, once she sees herself in the mirror, she’s going to notice that she hasn’t trimmed her hair in a long time. And her complexion’s a little dull.”
He wanted to haul her into his arms and kiss the fuck out of her, but since he couldn’t do that, he took a chance and wrapped an arm around her. “You’re magic, Skylar James. Pure magic.”
And, to his great surprise, she didn’t push him away. She stayed tucked within the shelter of his body.
Skylar flipped through the dresses on the circular rack, not seeing anything she thought Amanda would like. Most of them were too flashy.
“You like this one, Mom?” Jinx held up a green, cap-sleeve dress with a Peter Pan collar.
His mom, instead of looking for clothing, stood in the center of the high-end boutique watching a recording of her driving. She glanced at the dress. “That’s lovely. I’m not sure about the color, though.” Turning back to her phone, she shook her head. “That was amazing. Thank you, Jackson, Skylar. Today was…” She let out a breath of pure satisfaction. “Perfect.”
Skylar shot a look to Jinx and loved the happiness she saw in his eyes.
I love my job. Honest to God, there was no greater joy than helping a woman find her way back to her best self.
“I’m glad, Mom.”
“It was exhilarating,” Amanda said. “I want to do it again.”
“We could go back tomorrow.” Jinx looked eager, hopeful. “Anything you want.”
“And the arboretum,” Amanda said. “I didn’t even know it existed. All that greenery in the middle of the desert.” She grinned. “I can’t wait for my first gardening class.”
Jinx’s expression was full of awe, and all Skylar could do was smile.
The next step was to find a way for Amanda to turn a day of fun into a lifetime of activities she could pursue. Abandoning the rack, she said, “I was talking to the manager at the racetrack, and he said there’s a company here that hires test drivers.”
“Really?” Amanda looked to her son for confirmation. “That’s a thing?”
“It sure is,” Skylar said, since Jinx hadn’t been there for the conversation.
“What kind of cars?”
“Supercars. Just like you drove today. He said the company’s based here because of the miles of open road out here in the desert. I took his card, if you’re interested.” She pulled it out of the interior pocket of her purse.
“Are you serious?” Amanda plucked the card out of her fingers. “I’m very interested.” She read the words, as though they held the cure to healing a broken heart.
Scanning the boutique, Skylar noticed some dresses at the back of the store that were less sparkly. She hoped to find something close to the image she had in her head. Jewel tone, a full skirt…she really thought that would appeal to Amanda.
“What about this one?” Jinx held up a dark red maxi dress. It had a pleated skirt and a fitted top with a sweetheart neckline.
“That’s it.” Skylar hurried over. “You found it.” She grinned up at him, and the world fell away. His smile dazzled her, and suddenly he didn’t feel like some guy. He felt like a man she knew well.
He feels like mine.
It both thrilled and terrified her at the same time.
Men leave.
No, Eddie left.
She had to wipe out that ugly voice once and for all. Jinx…he was strong, loyal, stable, kind, generous. He was nothing like Eddie.
Amanda touched the skirt, lifting the accordion-style fabric. “Oh, I don’t know.”