Page 94 of Something Borrowed

He was saying what she thought! He was coming for a visit! But wait—

“That won’t work, will it? That’s when you usually go to Mexico.”

Michael’s throaty, bubbling laugh filled her ear again. Oh, how his big laugh always reminded her of his toddler self. His rangy 6’4 height, broad shoulders, and stubbly man face, his grown-up job, his mature hobbies and pursuits—they all fell away when he laughed. All she could see and hear was the little boy he’d always be to her.

“What part of visiting northern British Columbia in the dead of winter doesn’t sound better than Mexico?” he deadpanned.

“Well, when you put it like that,” she said, laughing back. “And of course it works. Any time will always work. I just don’t want to put you out or anything.”

A slightly awkward pause again—just a beat, over before Vic could really obsess about it. “Visiting you doesn’t put me out, Mom. You’re not a chore. It’s not an imposition.”

What was happening? Vic had no idea. She wanted to joke, make light, say something like, Who are you and what have you done with my son? But she couldn’t jest, couldn’t deflect. She was too grateful, too moved . . .

She swallowed as Michael continued talking.

“I’ll book everything tonight and forward my itinerary. Anything I should know before I arrive?”

“Well, Aud—your grandma is more mercurial than ever,” Vic shared reluctantly, lest he be put off from staying with them, but also not wanting him to be hurt should Audra be . . . really hurtful.

Michael let out a surprised sound. “Wow, considering her base level, that’ll be something to see.”

She was glad he could joke about it and wondered if she’d ever get to that place. Probably not, but that was okay. She was just happy he wasn’t more scarred by having such a non-doting grandmother. She hesitated a second, wondering if she should keep dating Cal to herself, but it would be worse if he found out from Audra.

“And,” she said. “Because I don’t want you to find out from Grandma, I’m seeing someone. A man named Cal. I’d like you to meet him, but I want you to know this trip is all about you. He won’t be hanging around all the time. I promise.”

There was a moment of silence from Michael. “Sure, I’ll meet him,” he said lightly. “I’m kind of surprised this is the first I’m hearing of him. This might be the longest you’ve ever gone without having a man in your life.”

“Er . . . yeah, I guess, hey?” Vic laughed weakly but knew it didn’t fully camouflage her cringe.

“So, does this one treat you right?”

Vic’s eyebrows shot to her hairline in surprise. She hadn’t known Michael had opinions on how men treated her.

“Yeah,” she said, nodding to herself. “And in another bit of a new move for me, I’m taking it slow—I know, I know, who even am I?”

Michael didn’t respond to her joke.

“Okay, well . . . I just wanted to let you know. I think he’s different.”

“Hm,” Michael said, and a wave of second-guessing washed over Vic. She shouldn’t have mentioned Cal. She should’ve kept the call all about Michael.

“How about you? Bringing anybody with you?”

“Nope. It’ll just be me. Disappointed?”

“Absolutely not! The exact opposite.”

“Okay, well . . . I should go book some plane tickets, I guess.”

“Sounds good, sweetie. I can’t wait to see you.”

There was no reply, though, and Vic realized she’d spoken her last line to dead air. Michael was already disconnected.

Chapter 45

Vic was practically jumping up and down in the driveway, excitement radiating from her, when Cal arrived to pick her up, and his own heartbeat jumped happily to see her so happy. Whatever her news was, it had to be good.

He didn’t bother turning the engine off, but he did climb out of the cab and go around to open her door for her. He liked doing—well, pretty much anything for her. Her smile just made him so danged happy. He also wanted to give her a hello kiss and nuzzle her neck.