Page 91 of For the Promise

He doesn’t have a chance to answer before the man and woman arrive at our table.

“Jaxon Raider! How could you!” The woman yells before bursting into tears.

What is going on? Who is this woman? And why is she mad at Jaxon? She can’t possibly be dating him. She’s old enough to be his mother. His mother? Hold on. Is this his mom?

Jaxon stands. “Do we have to do this now?”

“Did you get married and not tell your mom?” The man’s question confirms my suspicions. These people are his parents. I am not ready to meet the parents, but I don’t run away from my problems either.

I stand next to Jaxon. “I’m Blossom.”

Hazel hurries to us. “There’s a private dining room you can use. Unless you want everyone in the restaurant to eavesdrop on your private business.”

We follow her to the back of the restaurant. Everyone stares at us as we make our way past the tables. I wave to them. Let them think we’re part of the entertainment.

“Mom,” Jaxon pleads once we’re shut behind a closed door in a private room. “Let me explain.”

“No, I’ll explain. This is my fault.”

His mom’s eyes widen before her gaze drops to my belly. “Am I going to be a grandmother? How exciting. Your child and Eli’s child will grow up together.”

“Eli’s child?” Jaxon asks.

“Oops. I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”

His father chuckles. “Except you just told Jaxon and his wife that Paisley’s pregnant.”

“Hold on!” I raise a hand. “Paisley’s pregnant? No way. She would have told me. I’m her assistant. I need to prepare for her absence.”

Jaxon’s mom gasps as she reaches for my hand. “It’s true. You are married. This is a beautiful ring.” She smiles at Jaxon. “Good job, son.”

My nose wrinkles. “You don’t think the ring is too big? It’s a bit ostentatious, isn’t it?”

She giggles. “I love her already.”

I’m confused. “What did I say?”

“There have been some issues with women throwing themselves at Eli for his money,” Jaxon explains.

I narrow my eyes on his parents. “I don’t mean any disrespect but Paisley loves Eli. She is not with him for his money.”

His mom claps. “You’re wonderful. Welcome to the family.”

She opens her arms as if to hug me but Jaxon growls. “Don’t scare her.”

“Why would a hug scare me? I’m a strong woman. I can handle a hug.”

Jaxon fiddles with his glasses. “I just thought… since you lost your mom… and the crying…”

I throw my arms around him. “You better stop being sweet, nerd boy, or I am never letting you go.”

“Who said I wanted you to let me go?” he whispers into my ear and I melt into him. This man I’m falling for doesn’t want to let me go. Maybe he’ll choose me after all.

“Son,” his father grumbles. “Properly introduce us to your wife.”

“And then explain why we weren’t invited to the wedding.”

I release Jaxon but he wraps an arm around my waist to keep me near. Protecting me again. I want to argue I don’t need protecting, but I’m enjoying his warmth too much to care about asserting my independence.

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