Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)(53)

Ava held on tight. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.” She crouched in front of her mom. “So you’re doing the wild thing with this guy?”

“Maybe.”

“You’re practicing safe sex, right? There are issues that don’t involve pregnancy.”

Ava laughed. “Yes. We’re very safe.”

“Then I’m happy for you. I wish you would have told me, but I understand why you wanted me to make my own decision about Steve.” She stood and smiled. “Admit it. You were secretly thrilled when Justice’s report came back clean.”

“I was very pleased to hear the man I was dating didn’t have a criminal record.”

Patience returned to her chair. “Anything else I should know?”

“That’s it.” Ava’s humor faded. “I hope you understand. After I was diagnosed with MS, I couldn’t seem to pull myself together. Then your dad left and it was just the two of us. I was so scared. Since then, I haven’t met a man who could see past the disease. Until Steve.”

“You handled your diagnosis with grace, Mom. I mean that. You were a rock. I’m glad you’re happy with Steve. I still want to take things slow with Lillie. I don’t want her to get confused or hurt. Having her grandfather show up after a decade is a lot for her to take in.”

“I understand and I agree. No matter what, even if things don’t work out with me and Steve, he still wants to be a part of her life. But I agree with being cautious.”

They smiled at each other. Patience opened the folder. “Okay, then. Now on to company business.”

They started to talk about the store. Patience thought briefly about her mother’s decision to keep her relationship with Steve a secret. Two days ago she would have been a little more outraged. But she and Justice had recently taken things to the next level, and she had no intention of mentioning that to her mother. She supposed it wasn’t unreasonable to expect them both to have secrets. Even if it meant that she would have to keep an extra-close eye on Steve.

CHAPTER TWELVE

PATIENCE SCOOPED SOME guacamole onto her chip and listened to her friends. It was nearly six and she was pleasantly tired after a day spent in her soon-to-be coffee shop.

The dishwasher was installed and happily doing its cleaning and sanitizing thing with the new mugs and plates. She’d hired staff, and training sessions would start in the morning.

Heidi sipped her virgin margarita. “I’m just waiting for Annabelle to tell me to leave her alone. I swear, I’m at her house every fifteen minutes.”

“She doesn’t mind,” Isabel said. “How could she? She’s a new mom, getting up four or five times a night to take care of a newborn. She’s grateful to have a little downtime.”

“I hope so.” Heidi touched her growing belly. “I promise to be happy to see any of you as much as you want when I have my baby.” She sniffed. “Don’t you love the circle of life?”

Charlie groaned. “Sweet Mother of God. What is going on with you? Is the crying thing contagious? I swear, I can’t take another crier.” She glared at Heidi. “You’d better snap out of it.”

“You’re not really mad at me, are you?”

“Of course not.” Charlie picked up her beer. “I am never getting pregnant.”

“Or married,” Isabel said cheerfully. She grinned. “No matter how many times I’ve invited Charlie over to my store, she won’t come in and try on the latest styles.”

Charlie glared. “I could so kill you and hide the body. You know that, right?”

Patience leaned back in the booth and sighed with contentment. Isabel had only been in town a few weeks, but she was already fitting in. Patience liked that all her friends got along.

“I have a new dress with French lace,” Isabel said, her voice teasing.

Charlie glared.

Heidi giggled and turned to Patience. “We should change the subject. How are you doing? Are you having sex with Justice yet?”

Patience nearly choked on her chip. “Excuse me? What kind of question is that?”

“A nosy one.”

“She’s not today,” Charlie said. “He’s gone.” She shrugged. “He worked out next to me at the gym yesterday.” She turned to Patience. “The guy’s strong. Seriously strong. If he offers to carry you anywhere, let him.”

Patience reached for her margarita and took a hasty sip. She hoped the girl-flattering lighting in the bar would hide her blush as she thought about how easily Justice had supported her when they’d had their wild encounter.

“How did you working out next to him lead you to this information?” Heidi asked.

“He and I walked out of the locker rooms at the same time. He had a suitcase with him. Said he was heading out of town.” Charlie reached for a chip. “So, do you like him?”

Isabel leaned toward her. “Yes, please tell us. My personal life is still in recovery. I need a distraction.”

“I like him,” Patience admitted. “He’s been great with the store and my mom and Lillie.”

“I respect a man who runs a good background check,” Charlie said.

Patience had already told them about Steve.

“It’s an intriguing quality,” Patience said, then glanced toward the door as it opened. A tall, beautiful redhead stepped inside. Despite Justice explaining his relationship with Felicia, Patience felt her good mood fade away.