“I…um…Jason’s mother make it back home okay the other day?”
There was a short pause. “I checked her into a hotel to get some rest, and then I put her on a plane myself, just as Mr. Wild instructed. There was a car waiting to take her home when the plane landed.”
“Well that was…thorough.” It was a relief that for all Jason’s anger, he had taken excellent care of his mother. He wasn’t unfeeling, just too hurt to listen to her.
Leonard didn’t say anything.
“I’d like to talk to her,” I continued. “Jason won’t like it, which is why I’m coming to you. I think she needs help, and I’ll need your assistance to find her.”
Leonard sighed. “I don’t know…I wouldn’t take anything she says to mean much, you know. She seems like she has…” He paused and gave me an apologetic glance in the rear-view mirror. “Issues.”
I remembered the crazy things she’d said to me, and I had to agree.
“I know,” I agreed. “That’s why I think she needs help.”
“I’ll give you any information you need for whenever you decide to go to LA.” He brought the car to a stop. Outside the window, I could see into the brightly lit lobby of Jason’s building. “Mr. Wild…” Leonard continued. “He’s a good guy. He deserves better than a mother who walked out on him, but anger held for too long is like poison. So, I understand what you’re doing.”
I smiled. “I’m glad you understand, and I really appreciate this.”
He nodded. “No problem.”
Moments later, I spied Jason walking toward us.
He was beautiful, this man who was completely mine. He strode like the colossus he was among people who seemed to orbit around his unrivaled presence.
I waited in my seat, so excited to see him that it almost made no sense. I knew every inch of his body. I’d seen him awake and asleep, in the most tender moments, and even in moments of erotic surrender, but he still had the power to excite me just by walking into a room.
He reached the car and opened the door, sliding into the seat beside me. I smiled at him, trying unsuccessfully to mask my excitement.
“Babe.” He leaned over and kissed me lightly, careful not to ruin my lipstick, then he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I laughed softly as my butterflies settled, and I let my eyes rove over him. His hair was smoothed back, his suit still fresh, and his face—well, he could always knock my socks off with just a smile from that perfect mug. “You always look incredible.”
His lips quirked. “Yeah, I remember almost knocking you off your feet the first time you laid eyes on me.”
I burst into laughter. “You had to go there?”
He raised one perfect brow. “Am I wrong?”
I shook my head, capitulating. “I thought you were Amy’s date, and I felt so guilty for wanting you so bad.”
“I was blown away, too—could barely take my eyes off you. I kept telling myself I needed to get a grip because you were Amy’s roommate, but I knew it was a losing battle.”
“Me too.” I pulled in a breath, and he twined his fingers with mine, holding both our hands in his lap all the way to the restaurant.
Grant, Helen, Colin, and Amy were already at the table when we arrived.
“Here you both are.” Grant got up to greet us, and everyone else followed suit. Hugs and kisses followed.
“You look so lovely, sweetheart,” Helen said, kissing my cheek. “It’s so nice to see you again. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied, lingering in her soft hug for a few extra seconds. “You look great, too.”
She waved one hand airily, though she seemed pleased. “I saw the video you made of the proposal. I’ve been watching it on repeat for days. So perfectly sweet.”
“Oh, it was! Even more so in real life.”
She put her hand on her heart. “Makes me so happy.”