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“You do know her name, don’t you?” she prodded.
God, she was actually way worse than Evan ever thought about being. “Of course I know her name. I’m just not going to tell you what it is.”
She narrowed her eyes. “David.”
He could narrow his eyes, too. “Mom. I’m not telling you because this woman and I are casual.”
“Yes, you mentioned that already.”
“And it’s worth repeating. Casual.” Then, to hammer his point home (again) he crossed his arms and gave her his best That’s enough look, the one that never failed to make Jacob cease whatever shenanigans he was up to.
Valerie sighed, and David watched as she struggled to rein in her curiosity and her desire to keep pushing. Finally, after what seemed like five minutes, she backed down with a grudging smile. “Fine. You win,” she conceded. “You’re right. You’re a grown man, and it is none of my business.”
He couldn’t believe his That’s enough look had actually worked. “Thank you,” he told her, so relieved it was almost ridiculous. “And thanks for watching Jacob tonight. I really do appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” Then, sounding slightly uncertain, Valerie asked, “So, is it okay if I tell you to have a good time?”
Hating that he’d apparently hurt her feelings, he pulled her in for a hug. “Yes, Mom, you can tell me to have a good time.”
“Okay, then have a good time.”
“I will.” He kissed her temple and breathed in the faint floral scent of her shampoo. He didn’t know what brand it was, but she’d been using it for as long as he could remember and it never failed to soothe him.
“Oh, and be sure to tell Paige I said, ‘Hello’, all right?”
“I will—” David broke off, his entire body freezing in horror. Unable to move, because he was afraid to face the giant shit he’d just taken, he almost didn’t let Valerie take a step back.
“I knew it,” she whispered, looking very pleased with herself once she’d extricated herself from his lobster grip.
“How the hell did you know?”
“I’m a pretty smart cookie. If it had been anyone else, you would’ve told me her name. Plus, you’ve spent some time with Paige recently, so I figured it was probably her.”
“It is.” David heaved a giant sigh. “But I meant what I said, Mom. She and I are just hanging out, and it’s casual, okay? Now, repeat that.”
“You’re just hanging out and it’s casual.”
“I’m serious, Mom.”
“You’re just hanging out and it’s casual,” Valerie said again, this time with drawn-out exaggeration. “See? I got it. There’s no need to worry.”
They stood there, looking at one another for several moments. Her expression appeared to be open and honest—innocent even—but he’d just been taken down by the woman, so he couldn’t really say he believed what he was seeing. She’d seemed harmless right up until she wasn’t, after all, so … he didn’t trust her.
David didn’t waste any more time getting the hell out of there.
Chapter 19
Paige arrived at the loft promptly at 7 p.m. and was greeted by David with a kiss. For a weird moment, she almost felt shy with him because the last time she’d been with him, she’d had his cock in her mouth, so the smile she gave him was a little self-conscious. It became a little more self-conscious when she pulled back and saw his expression, which was a cross between uncertainty and apprehension.
“What is it?” she asked as he closed the door. “Is something wrong?”
“I wouldn’t say something is wrong, but …” he trailed off. “You might have a different opinion.”
“About what?”
“My mom said to tell you ‘Hello’.”
“She did?”
