Page 76 of Housebroke

“Mom. Nat. This is a surprise. Shouldn’t you be at work today?”

Her mother, dressed impeccably as always in an ankle-sweeping sundress and a wide-brimmed hat, was not smiling. “It wouldn’t have to be a surprise if you’d answer your phone once in a while. All I ever get is vague responses to my text messages. I took the day off I was so worried about you.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Nat smirked at Hazel, knowing full well an interrogation was forthcoming.

“Don’t be obtuse, Hazel,” her mother said. “You know exactly what I mean. Now, what’s going on here?”

“Here? We’re standing in the driveway, chatting. What’s going on with you two? Out for a day of lunch and shopping?”

Her mother heaved in a deep breath and let out one of her infamous sighs. “Why must you always be so difficult? You know exactly the question I’m asking. You. Shacking up with... that man.”

That man that her mother knew nothing about. Just like the situation that neither Mom nor Nat knew anything about. It was so frustrating, and, okay, maybe she could have answered her phone or at least informed her mother what was going on via text, but why did she always have to explain her life to her family? Was she really doing anything wrong?

Of course she wasn’t. She was getting her life together, and not doing too badly at it, either.

“Well?” Mom asked. “Are you going to talk or are we going to stand here melting in the humidity?”

Melting in the humidity sounded like the best option to Hazel. Fortunately, she was saved—albeit temporarily—from having to answer that question when Linc opened the door and walked outside looking tanned and sweaty and utterly sexy in loose jeans and a sleeveless shirt. He beamed a smile at her mother and sister.

Mom, on the other hand, gave him the once-over, and Hazel could tell from her expression that she found him lacking.

Hazel knew better. Linc lacked for nothing. At least nothing she needed or wanted.

“Hi. I remember you, Natalie. So nice to see you again.” He graced her sister with a million-dollar smile as he grabbed a cloth to wipe his hands. “I’m Linc.”

Her sister immediately fluffed her hair with her hand. “Hello again, Linc.”

Hazel rolled her eyes. “Linc, this is my mother, Melinda Burke.”

Linc walked over to shake her hand. “Mrs. Burke. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Hazel’s told me a lot about you. She said you’re a loan officer. I’m in real estate myself. I have investment and commercial properties, and I’ll tell you, I could not do what I do without the help of a good loan officer.”

Apparently, her mother also wasn’t immune to Linc’s casual, easygoing charm when it was turned on her. “Oh, well, thank you. I know what I do seems boring to a lot of people.”

“Not to me it isn’t. You help people realize their dreams.”

“Well, aren’t you sweet.”

Linc looked around. “It’s pretty hot out here. I could move the patio table inside and fix you all something cold to drink, if you’d like.”

“That would be nice, thank you,” her mother said.

Hazel followed her mother and sister, who had flanked Linc, the three of them engaged in conversation about something that clearly she was not invited to partake in.

Whatever. At least her mother wasn’t turning her nose in the air whenever she looked at Linc, so Hazel was calling that a win.

Hazel let the dogs out back so they could get a drink. Mom had disappeared into the bathroom, making Hazel so happy that she’d just cleaned this morning. Linc brought in the table and chairs, then wiped them down before Nat took a seat.

“I’ll be back with some iced tea,” he said.

“You know,” Hazel said, looking for any opportunity to escape for both of them, “I could grab the tea and you could get back to work.”

“Nah. I’ll do it, and you can visit with your mom and sister.”

She offered up a tight smile. “Awesome. Thanks.”

She took a seat, then Freddie and Penny scooted in while Linc opened the door.

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