Page 69 of Mad Love

That’s about as sweet as Joan gets, so most of my anger fizzles out and I smile at her.

“Thanks, Joan. I wouldn’t want to try to navigate any of this without you.”

“You’re stuck with me, kid.” Her loud, throaty laugh fills the car. “And I like the sound of this Sadie. I wasn’t going to say anything until I heard how you felt, but the way you’re looking at her in those pictures...” Her eyes widen and her hands mimics an explosion. “You deserve to be happy. Don’t end up like me, old and alone, with nothing but work to warm your bed at night.”

“You’re timeless, Joan. And don’t you know we’re never too old to find love?”

“I don’t know who fed you that crap, but it sounds good.” She laughs.

We’re quiet for a while and she perks up when we reach Silver Hills.

“You know…I really like this town. I’m only ever here to see you, but I could get used to this place.”

“Do you have to hurry back to California? Stay and have dinner with us tonight.”

“I wish I could.” She pokes her lips out in a mock pout. “Maybe sometime soon, I’ll plan a few days here. If things keep progressing with your girl, I may need to come do more damage control.” She winks.

“She’s not my girl, but yeah, come anytime. You need to meet my son too.”

She waves her hand. “I’m sure he’s beautiful with you as his father, but me and babies go together like ice cream and bacon.” She shudders.

“I’ve actually had that combo and it’s not bad. You should give Caleb a try. Maybe he’ll surprise you.” I laugh at the expression on her face. “He’s surprised me. I never knew I could get attached so quickly to a little human.”

She sniffs and waves her glasses around right as we’re pulling up to my gate. “Whew. Got here in just the nick of time. Thought you might convince me to join a cult next. You’re persuasive, Weston Shaw.” She grins at me. “Don’t forget. Mouth shut. The fewer details said about…anything…the better. And you better not go falling in love without letting me know about it.”

I shake my head. “No one’s falling in love, slow your roll.” I get out of the car and lean back down. “Unless it’s you doing the love thing…then I’m all for it.”

“Oh, go on.” She laughs.

I shut the door and the car pulls away. I chat with the security guys for a few minutes before I walk inside. “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone is playing through the sound system and when I round the corner, I see Sadie holding Caleb and twirling him around the living room. She’s graceful and wearing the biggest smile as Caleb laughs. They twirl around and around until she falls back on the couch with Caleb on top of her. He has the hiccups from laughing and Sadie leans up and hugs him.

“You’re making that poor boy laugh too hard.”

It’s not until I’ve heard Pam, Sadie’s mother, speak that I even realize she’s in the room too.

“It’s good for him,” I say.

They all turn to look at me, and Sadie pushes her hair back and sits up straighter. Caleb grins at me and bounces, and I go over and kiss the top of his head. I don’t know when I started this little ritual with him exactly…sometime during our long nights together, I think, but now I can’t resist doing it whenever I see him.

“Hi, Pam, good to see you.” I smile at her.

“You too,” she says, returning my smile.

“That was faster than I expected. How did it go?” Sadie asks.

I make a face. “My publicist was happy, so I guess it went well. She suggested that we not share details about anything.” Igive Pam an apologetic look. “I’m sorry in advance if any of this comes back to you. I didn’t share Sasha’s name, but when asked about you,” I look at Sadie, “I did say you’re my child’s aunt and that we’re raising him together.”

Sadie looks flustered and she starts bouncing Caleb when he gets restless. “I’m surprised you said anything about me at all.”

“They asked about the woman with me in the photos…you.”

“Ahh.” Her cheeks are already flushed from dancing, but she fans her face as if she’s just now feeling the heat.

“And since I’m sure we’ll be seen together a lot more in the future, it seemed best that I be upfront about it.”

“Maybe it’s best if we’re not?” She looks up at me and it’s silent for a few beats while we stare at each other.

I can’t tell if she’s saying what she wants or asking me what I want.

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