Page 70 of That Secret Something

“Woah, not so fast.” Though I had to admit the idea of marrying Rebecca made my heart skip in my chest.

“I still find it hard to believe I’m the only person that knows about this,” Jade said. “What about your mum? Have you told her?”

I shook my head. “No. No. She’s not…no. We don’t really talk about stuff like this.”

“Oh. How come?”

“We just don’t.”

Jade eyed me, seemingly detecting my discomfort. “Sorry. I’m being nosy. Just tell me to bugger off.”

“No, it’s fine.” I exhaled a breath. “I guess I just don’t know how to talk to her about these things. She never seems interested. I always used to talk to my grandma, but since she died, I guess I haven’t tried again with Mum.” I gave a short laugh. “I’m realising I sound like a hypocrite. I asked Rebecca to give her family more of a chance, when I can’t even do it myself.”

Jade reached out and squeezed my arm. “Hey, I get it. It’s hard sometimes. I wish I could speak to my mum about things, too.”

“You have the same problem?”

“No, she passed away.”

The finality of her tone cut me. I stumbled over my words. “Jade…I’m so sorry.”

She waved off my apology. “It’s alright. It happened a long time ago now. We weren’t perfect either, believe me. But I’d give a lot to just be able to talk to her. As much as I love getting the lowdown on your relationship, I know how much this secret-keeping affects you. I think you should try and speak with her about it.”

I considered it. My mind just couldn’t comprehend a universe where my mother gave out stellar life advice. But then again, I could never have imagined a world where Rebecca Lawson would be my girlfriend. So I guess life could be full of surprises.

“I’ll try,” I said. “I’ve just no idea how to even start.”

“At the beginning might be good.” Jade smiled. “Don’t worry, mothers know these things.”

But you haven’t met my mother.

“Maybe you’re right.” I raised my eyebrows when she jumped up from the table. “What’re you doing?”

“You didn’t think I’d let you out of here without winning another game, right? I reckon I can beat you in even fewer throws this time.”

Later, just as the sun started to dip below the kitchen window, Rebecca let herself in with her key. Sausage leapt up to greet her, wagging his tail in excited circles. I’d gifted her a key as a long-overdue Valentine’s present. Rebecca loved to bring up the fact I didn’t get her a gift or a card, so I figured a key would be a good way to shut her up. It also reduced the risks of her being seen waiting outside on the step. Especially if she was wearing anything…risqué.

“Honey, I’m home!” she called, elongating her vocals. After giving Sausage some love, she wrapped her arms around me, kissing my neck. She stopped suddenly, stiffening. “But, uh, honey, why isn’t my dinner ready for me on the table?”

I snorted, placing the last of the plates on the draining board. “Pfft. Yeah, you wish.”

She laughed, pulling back to look at my face. She squashed her smile, trying her best to pout. “What’s a woman got to do to get some food around here?”

“You’re an idiot.” I pulled her back to me and kissed her. “And look at that, you’re only…four minutes late home.”

“Home?” She waggled her eyebrows.

Heat flushed my cheeks. “You know what I mean.”

“Mm-hmm.” She eyed me, a grin tugging at her mouth. She always seemed to know the effect she had on me. “Four minutes rounded down from ten is nothing, so, basically, I’m right on time.”

I blinked. “That’s a very Rebecca-like theory. Though, in my book, late is late. Which means you’ll have some more making up to do…”

Rebecca’s face lit up, her grin growing wider. Her stare twinkled with mischief, a look I’d grown to know very well. “I’m sure that can be arranged.” She gripped my waist, guiding me backwards until I hit the kitchen cabinet with a grunt.

She could be late every day if it meant she’d touch me like that.

Rebecca leaned further into me, bending me back over the counter. Her mouth hovered over mine, her breath tickling my face. Then she captured my lips with a kiss. It wasn’t soft, but it wasn’t hard either, just enough to flare my libido.

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