Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Julian
Jace: I’m back in town. Wanna grab a beer this evening? Or will you be too wrapped up in the pint-sized hottie?
I clench my phone when I read the text my friend sends around midday. He knows exactly how to push my buttons.
Me: Don’t call her that.
Me: I was gonna hit the gym after my cases this afternoon. Join me and we can get dinner and drinks after.
Jace: Sure. At your swanky hospital gym or my building?
Me: Your building
I’ve enjoyed using the gym at the hospital, they definitely don’t skimp on amenities for their employees. But, I’m sure Jace will continue to razz me about Leena, and I’d rather not chance someone overhearing.
Jace:
Exhaling a steady breath as I curl the barbell to my chin, I watch my reflection in the mirror, Jace blabbing away behind me about how busy he’s been in Saltmeadow Point the last week. Lots of showings of a family property that has garnered much interest because of its prime location in town.
“And then when I was walking the last client out this morning, I ran into your parents,” he tells me. “Seems your mom wants to come visit, check out my place. Make sure it’s up to her standards for her baby boy.”
“What?” I huff out. Setting the bar down, I swipe up my towel to mop my brow. “She has to know you like the good life and wouldn’t live anywhere not up to your high standards.”
“I know, I think she wants to come down to check out your girlfriend.” He gives me a pointed look.
My shoulders fall and I turn my face to the ceiling. “How does she know about my girlfriend, Jace?” The awkward grimace that crosses his face gives away his guilt. “What did you say?”
“Nothing.” Unable to meet my eyes, he gulps down a drink from his water bottle before rushing out, “Just that I was happy you and Leena seemed to figure things out.”
Groaning, I rub my hand over my face, then I just stand there, a thumb and index finger massaging my temples.
Not because I don’t want my family to know about Leena, they already do.
My mom pulled it out of me during a conversation when I first got to town.
She could hear the weariness and frustration in my voice.
Not wanting her to show up unannounced because she thought I was overworking myself, I told her how I found the girl from the coffee shop.
The screech she let out had my ears ringing the rest of the night.
But I told her it was complicated because we work together, and Leena was worried about crossing professional boundaries.
“I’d never seen you like that night, my boy. I knew she had to be something special then to turn your head,” she hedged.
“She is, Mom.”
“So you’re going to just give up, Julian?” I could practically see her shaking her head in disappointment in my mind.
“Of course not!” I declared. “I’m just moving at her pace. I plan to keep showing up so she knows how serious I am. I won’t rush her.”
“I knew I raised you right.”
In a way, I’ve been avoiding her for the past few weeks since Leena and I finally got together, knowing this is how she’d react, demanding to meet her right away. And I was the one who didn’t want to scare away my already skittish girlfriend by subjecting her to my overzealous mother.
“I didn’t know you hadn’t told her you two had gotten together! How have you been able to keep it from her? Momma Jacobs is too observant to miss how bad you have it for her,” Jace says, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Looking up at him, I stare him straight in the eyes because I have nothing to be ashamed of.
“I am so fucking down bad for Leena. My mom knew it before we got together.” Sinking down onto the workout bench behind me, I say, “It was just nice to keep it between us for a while. You know, before my mom descends on us.”
“I’m sorry, man.” He truly looks remorseful, and I’m not really upset with him. I’d been planning to tell my mom soon anyways. Well, soonish.
“So, this is why you wanted to get drinks? To soften the blow?” I snap my towel at him. “Well, they’re on you, then.”
Hopping away, he laughs out, “Fair!”
“I’ve been expecting your call, Mother,” are the sly words I answer the phone with, closing my bedroom door that I had been about to exit. We’d come up to the condo to shower and change for dinner. “Although, I expected you to give me at least a day to call you first.”
“I was only going to give you tonight. My call would have come bright and early tomorrow morning,” she says brightly. “Then I decided I wanted to sleep in, so here we are.”
“Ahh. So how are you and Dad doing?” I ask with a huge grin. I’m purposefully beating around the bush because it will drive her crazy.
“We’re wonderful, dear,” Mom plays along. “But we miss you oh so much. How would you feel about us coming up to see you this weekend? Maybe tomorrow?”
My smile falters just a little. “I’m not sure, it’s kind of late notice, don’t you think? What if I have plans?” I hedge.
“What kind of plans would trump your parents visiting you?”
“That’s hitting below the belt, Mom.” I sit on the edge of my bed that I hardly sleep in anymore. Blowing out a breath, I decide to go for broke, done playing games. My mom would win anyways, she’s too smart for her own good. “I’ve missed you guys too. I would love for you to come down.”
“Fabulous! Now tell me, what should we plan on doing?”
“I think we’re done playing this game. What about dinner with me and Leena?” She gasps. “If she’s up for it, that is,” I add. “This may be a little too much too soon, and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.”
“Julian, of course! I’m just thrilled you two have finally come together. And that you’re not hiding it anymore,” she gushes.
If she only knew . . .
I’m not upset we're still hiding our relationship, I just hate that I can’t love Leena out loud. Because I do love her. Very much.
“I’m happy we’re together, too.” Quietly, almost reverently, I continue, “It feels exactly like I knew it would. Perfect. And right. She’s the one, Mom. I know it, just like you said.”
She sniffles and says, a little weepy, “This makes me so happy for you. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for my children—to find a love like the one I share with your father.”
“I get it now.” We’re both silent for a moment, lost in our own thoughts. Then I look at my watch, anxious to grab dinner and get to my girl. “Listen, I gotta go. I’m having dinner with Jace. But I'll let you know if you need to be on your best behavior tomorrow night or not.”
“I’m always on my best behavior,” Mom harrumphs. My dad’s snort comes from the background. “Hush, Lucas.”
“Good night, Mom. I love you.”
Exiting my room, I rap my fist on Jace’s door.
He opens with a brow lifted in question. “How’d it go?” he asks with barely suppressed amusement.
I spin on my heel with a roll of my eyes. “Let’s go. I’m hungry. And I need that drink because now I have to ask Leena if she’s up to meeting my parents tomorrow.”