As she neared the entryway, she squinted to see through the etched sidelight. A woman. A tall woman. Jade inched closer to the front of the house and caught a glimpse through a small square in the glass that wasn’t etched. That two-inch section gave Jade all she needed to know.
Her mother stood on Jade’s porch.
Muttering a string of curses under her breath, Jade jumped when her mother knocked. There was no ignoring Lana McKenzie. That woman was relentless in everything. Hadn’t Nana warned Jade her mother wanted to surprise her? Jade just didn’t think her mother would be here this soon, but she sure as hell was surprised.
She threw a look over her shoulder, eyeing the hallway where Cash stood at the other end. With his arms crossed over his bare chest, and standing proudly wearing only his underwear,
Jade knew this wasn’t going to be a smooth reunion.
Who is it? he mouthed.
My mother.
His eyes widened. I’ll stay out of sight.
Jade didn’t have time to think or to apologize. She turned back to the door and smoothed a hand down the front of Cash’s T-shirt.
Nothing she could do about her appearance now.
Jade flicked the dead bolt and instantly received the shocked, judgmental stare of Lana McKenzie. Her eyes traveled over Jade’s lack of attire and bedhead.
“Good heavens, Jade, really.” Her mother pushed through and entered the foyer. “It’s noon. Why are you dressed like that? Are you sick?”
“It’s great to see you, too, Mother,” Jade said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Won’t you come in?”
“I thought we could have a girls’ day.” Lana spun back to face Jade. “I wanted to surprise you, do something nice. I could tell at the wedding you’d been having a difficult time and I realize some of that may be my fault.”
Confused, Jade crossed her arms over her chest. “Difficult time?” she repeated. “I’ve been having an amazing time here, Mom.”
A clang came from the back of the house and Jade stilled, refusing to even glance that way. She kept her eyes on her mom, who immediately shifted her attention.
“What was that?”
“What was what?” Jade asked.
Her mom pointed down the hallway. “That noise. Oh, you don’t have a cat, do you? Those things can be so filthy.”
Jade made a mental note to get a shelter cat tomorrow.
“I don’t have any pets.” Yet. “What did you have in mind for girls’ day?”
Not that she wanted to spend the day with her mom, but she needed to get Lana out of the house.
“I’ve heard so much about that quaint little spa those troublesome Monroe boys opened.” She patted the side of her blond hair, as if something could ever be out of place in that slicked-back bun. “I must say, all my friends have checked it out and I thought we could go get massages and eat at their little café after.”
Jade sighed and attempted to smooth her hair away from her face and over her shoulders. “Mom, Bella Vous is booked up months in advance.”
Her mother’s brows attempted to draw in, but years of Botox prevented too much movement. “Nonsense,” her mother claimed, waving a hand in the air. “We can just call. Aren’t you friends with them or something?”
“No matter if I know them or not, they have appointments and guests. Just because I call doesn’t magically make something open simply because you want it to.”
Her mother pursed her glossy pink lips together. “Well, I’m sure we could call and at least check. If not today, then in the next few days.”
Wait . . . what?
“Days?” Jade repeated, hoping she’d misunderstood.
“I plan on staying for a couple of days.” Her mother smiled and adjusted her clutch beneath her arm. “I didn’t drive all this way to just turn around and go home. I think it’s time we visit.”