Page 59 of Connected By Love
“Me too.” He opens the gate for us, and I lead them down to the dock where the jet skis are.
I get on the jet ski and load the bags and cooler into the storage seats as Travis hands them to me before jumping back on the dock.
“You guys taking the jet skis out today?” I hear my mom askas she walks on the dock toward us. I hold back my grin. My mom knows I’m taking them out because I told her last night when I called her. I know the real reason she came down here was to check out Travis because it’s killing her not to know the guy I’ve been talking to her about.
Bella and I have always been close to our moms and usually have coffee together at least once a week to have our girl talk sessions. Emma has formed a close bond with our moms and quickly joined our circle. More often than not, the coffee ends up being replaced with mimosas or wine.
“You must be Travis.” My mom looks up and grins at him. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Yes, ma’am. All good, I hope.” He laughs and grins at my mom, and she instantly becomes putty in his hands. How could anyone not? The man is gorgeous.
“Please call me Maya. I feel old when someone calls me ma’am,” she giggles like a schoolgirl, and I fight back the laughter wanting to erupt. “And you must be Max,” she smiles down at him. “Sophia tells me you are one of her smartest students.”
“That’s because Miss Lane is the best teacher ever. I mean, Sophia.” He grins at me before looking back at my mom. “I get to call her Sophia now that she’s my dad’s girlfriend.”
“Oh God,” I hear Travis mutter under his breath.
I start laughing at his uncomfortable look. “That happened this morning.” I take his hand in mine and squeeze it, hoping to put him at ease.
“I had a feeling that would be happening soon,” a smile spreads across her face. “I see how happy you make Sophia, and I already know I’m going to love you. This calls for a celebration. I’ll get with Sage, and we’ll do a cookout next weekend. Are you guys free?” She asks, looking at the two of us.
“Throwing him right into the chaos of our family, I see. Itmay be too much too soon to introduce him to the Lane/Bennett craziness.”
“Actually, I would love to.” I look at Travis, and he’s grinning at my mom, who's beaming back at him.
“Perfect! And please bring Max. He’ll have a blast swimming and playing with Nala and Hurley. Those two dogs just love playing with kids.”
“Will do. Thanks for inviting us.”
“You’re more than welcome. Everyone is dying to meet the guy who caught this one and is able to handle her,” my mom says, laughing when she catches the annoyance in my eyes.
“It’s not easy, but I’m up for the challenge,” Travis chuckles when I playfully swat him.
“Well, I won’t keep you guys. Have fun today, sweetie,” she reaches over and hugs me. “Oh my God, Soph. He’s gorgeous,” she whispers into my ear, causing me to laugh. She pulls back and surprises Travis with a hug. “It was so nice meeting you, Travis.”
“It was nice meeting you too, Maya.”
“And Max, it was so nice meeting you as well,” she bends down and runs her hand over his hair. “Thanks for helping Sophia drive the jet skis today.”
He nods his head excitedly. “Sophia is going to teach me. We may even see a dolphin.”
“I’m sure you will,” she laughs. “You’ll have to tell me all about it next weekend.”
My mom smiles at us before heading back up to the house.
“I like your mom. She’s going to get along great with mine.” Travis grins at me.
“She likes you, too. Maybe even more than me. Do all girls become a pile of Jell-O when they meet you, or is it just the Lane women?”
“I can’t help that I have that effect on women.”He grins and shrugs his shoulders. I roll my eyes at him, and he laughs. “Jealousy looks good on you.”
“Who said I was jealous?” He steps closer, invading my space until we are inches apart.
“I see how guys look at you whenever we’re out in public. You have the same effect on men. They would do anything just to be close enough to breathe the same air as you. I know that exact feeling. It takes everything in me not to tell every guy that glances at you to fuck off. Jealousy is child’s play compared to what I feel.”
His eyes burn into mine with such intensity that I find it hard to breathe. “I guess we both are going to have to learn to deal with it.”
“As long as I’m the one who gets to take you home, there won’t be a problem.”
