Page 88 of Tight End

Not after quitting on Monday, leaving the firm a little high and dry. Because I’m a sucker, I felt bad.

Oliver is excited to see everyone. Plus, Ryan and his mom are already on the way.

He spent the morning fixing some loose boards on her front porch and helped her with a few things around the house. We were supposed to meet her earlier this week, but the three of us were wiped out with the stomach flu, and we didn’t want to risk making her sick.

I’m anxious to meet her.

I hope she likes us.

I hope my mom isn’t ... well ... I think we all know how my mom can be. She hasn’t exactly been silent on her disapproval of Ryan, and I wouldn’t put it past her to say something contrary in front of everyone.

At least I’ll have Poppy, Kinsley, and my dad here as a buffer.

Not that I’m entirely confident it will make a difference.

Speak of the Devil ... or should I say Satan? My mom throws open the door, and there’s no way we can turn back. She’s seen us. Oliver is oblivious to my plight, taking off likea shot, wrapping his arms around her legs. “There’s my favorite grandson.”

“I’m your only grandson, Grandma.” He puts his fists on his hips, and I imagine he’s giving her quite the look.

She leans down, a genuine smile on her face, and bops his nose. “But still no less true. Everyone is in the backyard if you want to go say hello.”

I’m instantly forgotten as he takes off running toward the back of the house, his sneakers stomping all the way across her expensive wood floors. There’s no way my sisters or me would have been allowed to run through the house when we were, well ... any age.

She still looks at me sideways if I’m walking beyond the foyer with shoes on.

You know, kinda like she’s looking at me right now.

And that’s when it registers—with Oliver gone, the two of us are alone. Yep. All alone. No buffer.

It’s fine. Everything is fine. Oh God, please let everything be fine.

“June.” That smile wobbles, falling quickly from her face. Nice Grandmother Morgan is long gone, and her lawyer persona is firmly back in place. “I hope you’re doing well.”

“I am, actually.” I move into her foyer, letting the door close behind me. “Leaving the firm has allowed me to put all my focus on the studio, which is doing better than expected. I appreciate you being gracious enough to understand.”

Let’s be honest, she didn’t understand a thing and tried to get me to put in a six-months notice.Six months. But if I’m not careful, I’ll activate the dragon, and that’s the last thing we need today.

She opens her mouth to respond, but before she can get another word out, there’s a knock at the door. A strong one.Shoot. I didn’t realize he’d be here so soon. My insides twist, and my heart leaps in my throat, and my pulse skyrockets so much I’m pretty sure I’m having heart palpitations.Oh God. The moms are going to meet. Like right now. His mom is going to hate me. She’s going to?—

My mom raises a brow, assessing me for a second, and pulls open the door, forcing me out of the way. “Hello there.” Fake smile. Okay, maybe it’s more like a grimace. “You must be Ryan. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Ryan’s gaze flicks to me, giving me a quick look of disbelief, and he extends his hand to her. “I am. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Yes. Finally. Considering you knocked up my daughter and moved her into your place not so long ago, I’d say it’s only fitting that wefinallymet.”

Jesus Christ.

His mouth drops open, but he’s quick to recover, giving her a charming smile.Yes, baby, win her over with those award-winning dimples.

Nope.

Abort.

Her fake smile is morphing into a frown with an accompanying glare. Of course she’d be immune to the dimples.

This is a damn disaster. We can’t even get past introductions. I should have canceled. I should have faked an illness or even intentionally given myself food poisoning. I’m pretty sure there’s some chicken in the fridge that looks sketchy.

His mom is standing behind him, her eyes wide as she watches the exchange. Or at least, I’m assuming that’s his mom. They have the same dark-brown hair and similar facial features, but where he’s tall and broad, she’s petite. And I know exactly how she feels.

---