Page 91 of Talk About… Secrets
"See? I knew it. The paint was a dead giveaway." She pointed at his shoes that had a few dots.
I laughed openly now. "Because I had to drag him away from the paintings to be here."
"Caught me," he said, shaking his head.
"And I know Spencer with the glasses and those intelligent eyes," she said before pulling him into a hug, which he soaked in just as much as I did.
"And that leaves this handsome boy. You are Beckett," she said confidently before giving him the same kind of hug.
My favorite part was her calling Beckett, this big, strong alpha, a boy.
But I guess to a mama, all her kids were going to be boys.
Then her gaze was back to me, a bit of nostalgia and sadness in her expression.
"Oh, Grace. It’s been far too long. He kept saying he was going to come back to you, and I’m glad that you gave him a chance. That wasn’t an easy thing to do."
"He was worth giving a second chance," I told her. "Drew wasn’t an easy guy to get over, and I’m glad he’s mine now."
"Forever," he promised, bending down and kissing me on the forehead, keeping it PG since his mom was right there.
"So, why exactly did we choose a bar as a baby shower venue?" she teased, biting back a laugh. I loved that she was just as sassy as we were.
"Partially because it’s a small town," I admitted. "And they had a big enough space. Also because the Whitakers, who own the bar, took me under their wings. So, family perks, I guess."
"And what about your family?" she asked. It was a careful question. I wondered what exactly she remembered from our childhood.
"My sister will be here," I said, giving her a tight smile. "That’s about it. I’ve pretty much cut out the rest of my family."
"I thought you might say that," she said, shaking her head. "I remember those stories of your mama and I’m so sorry, sweetie."
"That’s okay. I found a family that’s a lot stronger than the one I grew up in," I reassured her. "Now come in, I want you to meet Mama Whitaker."
We’d barely made it in the door when Mama Whitaker was making a beeline for us. I swear, this woman had a sixth sense for when we wanted to talk to her.
"Mama Whitaker, this is Drew’s mom," I introduced, before turning to the newcomer. "And this is Mama Whitaker."
"I do have a name, by the way," she laughed. "My name is Lucy."
"I’m Bailey, but everyone calls me Mom. I swear, the whole team did any time I brought cookies."
"We’re two peas in a pod, then," Lucy said with a smile. "I’m a sucker for taking care of my babies… all of them."
While the mothers conspired, the guys ushered me to a table. Avery walked up, slipping a sash across my shoulders, asif people couldn’t already tell by the eight-month belly I was sporting that I was the mom-to-be.
"Everything looks great, Avery," I told her emphatically. "It’s gorgeous in here."
"I can’t claim all the credit. We all went in together and even roped in a few of the guys," she admitted with a chuckle. "But it does look perfect, and you deserve nothing less, Grace."
Her eyes drifted over to Mama Whitaker and Bailey talking. "They look like they’re getting along well."
"I knew they would. She gets along with everyone," I admitted.
"Not everyone," Avery laughed. "She can’t stand people like your mom, for example."
She winced as the words fell out of her lips.
"Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that."
