I knew Mama would melt at that. She did. “Call me Mama, hon.”
When he stood back up and squeezed my hand, he winked. “I told you we’d get along. Mothers love me,” he said.
I rolled my eyes at him. I gave him a dry comment, because he liked me to call him out, and because it was a great cover for the fact that I had almost just started crying over my feelings for him. “Almost as much as you love yourself.”
He just grinned at me as he started around the back of the car. “You can’t be happy with anyone else until you’re happy with yourself, Mia. Don’t you read inspirational quotes?”
I ignored that and leaned back into the car to retrieve Mississippi and Mama’s bag. She was watching me carefully. Then she gave me a thumbs-up. “Hot.”
Rolling my eyes, I hauled our stuff out of the car, struggling to adjust the weight on either shoulder. But I was pleased.
James was hot.
And he was my boyfriend.
It was absurd. It was amazing.
Chapter Fourteen
JJ
Mia’s mother was exactly as Mia had described her to me. She was a wicked flirt, totally inappropriate, hilarious, and clearly relied entirely on her daughter to be the responsible one. I liked her in that she was entertaining and she obviously loved Mia, but I felt bad for Mia’s upbringing. It was a role reversal.
We had gotten Margaret into the apartment and settled on the couch. I had chatted with her for a few minutes, pretending not to notice she occasionally slurred her words while Mia took her stuff into the bedroom. I also pretended not to notice Margaret had looked at my junk at least once, maybe twice. I thought that was a first—having the mother of a woman I was dating check me out. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, so I was going to ignore it. Besides, I had to assume it was just harmless ogling. Mia didn’t seem upset or surprised by the flirting.
Mia asked her mother, “Can I get you anything?”
“A burger and a six-pack.” Margaret looked around. “Where’s the remote? I want to watch my judge show.”
“Mama. No. Absolutely not.”
I was assuming she meant all three because who could stand to watch a judge show?
Margaret didn’t miss a beat. “How about a pack of Camels at least?”
“Not a chance, Hot Mama.”
“Is this how it’s going to be? Prison would be better.”
That made Mia snort.
Margaret turned to me. “See how mean she is to me? JJ, be a sweetheart and go grab me some cigarettes.”
Like I was wading into this disagreement. “I don’t think I can do that.”
She grinned at me. “Pussy-whipped already?”
“Mama!” Mia sounded horrified.
My eyebrows shot up and my jaw dropped. I started laughing. “Nice try, Mama. I’m not falling for that trap.”
“Smart man.”
Damn straight. Like I was going to tell her mother the power of Mia’s pussy had me upending my entire life and making new plans that entirely revolved around her. That Mia was the whole package, inside and out, and had brought me to my fucking knees. Stolen my heart and made me a sappy-ass motherfucker who wanted to hand her the entire world with a bow wrapped around it.
“How about when Chrissy gets home, I run to the store and get you some ice cream?” Mia asked.
“How come I can have ice cream and not a burger or some beer? What’s the difference?”
She kind of had a point. At least between the burger and the ice cream.
Mia put her hand on her hip. “Do you just want soup and a salad, then?”
Margaret wrinkled her nose. She muttered something under her breath.
I thought she said that it was bullshit and maybe San Quentin, but I wasn’t sure. What I was sure about was that Mia didn’t have the time, the training, or the authority over her mother to take care of her the way she needed to be cared for. Margaret needed a home health aide. I could see that already Mia’s brow was furrowed and she looked stressed.
That was an expression I hated to see on her face. But this was an easy fix. I could have Ji-Ho make a couple of phone calls and we could quickly hire someone to stay with Margaret when Mia was at work. Also, for the occasional sleepover at my place. I was completely understanding of Mia’s complicated life, but there was no way I wasn’t going to share a bed with her at least once every couple of weeks.
Right now though, I thought maybe my best course of action was to leave Mia and her mother alone to get settled. I felt superfluous in the small space.
“I’m going to let you ladies fight this out,” I said. “I have a meeting with my manager this afternoon that I need to get to.” That was true, though I did have a few hours still. It just seemed better to roll out of there and give them privacy to adjust to the new reality of living together.
Mia had told me they hadn’t lived together in years, so I was anticipating a mother-daughter power struggle.
“No fight,” Margaret said. “I win.”
Mia snorted. “Nice try.” She turned and gave me a distracted smile. “Thank you for being here. I’ll text you later.”
I leaned down and kissed her briefly. “We still on for Wednesday?” I was going to be disappointed if she couldn’t spend the night, but I would understand if she felt like she couldn’t. Okay, more than disappointed. But it was what it was.
She nodded. “I’m going to need the break, I can guarantee it.”
“I’ll give you a massage,” I said, feeling bad for her. She worked so damn hard. I wanted to rub her shoulders and give her an orgasm.
“With a happy ending?” she asked, sounding hopeful.
That made me laugh. “Of course.”
“Lucky me.”
I gave her a smile. “I’ve been told I have a wicked tongue.”
“Oh, I’m well aware.” She stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest, like she was afraid if she didn’t, she might ask to leave with me. “Bye, James.”
“Bye, Mia.” I said goodbye to her mother and headed out. I called my own mother as I crossed the parking lot. “Ma, I’m going to have to wreck your seating chart for the engagement party, I’m sorry.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I’m bringing my girlfriend, Mia.” I loved saying that. It got my dick hard and tightened my chest.
“I thought she was your dog walker and housekeeper.”
“She was. Now she’s my girlfriend.”
“Why do I feel like there’s a punchline?”
“Why would you say that?” I got in my Bentley. I liked to drive it when I had PR gigs and business meetings. Today I had both, so I enjoyed the vibe it gave off. Power and money. I switched my mother to the hands-free car connection. I could practically smell her suspicion. “You should know your baby boy a little better than that, Ma. I’m offended.”
“Sure, you are. Give me a break, JJ. I’m serious, what is going on? You have avoided relationships like you do porta-potties.”
That made me laugh. “That is not true. I’ve had relationships. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will make me go into a porta-potty.”