Page 51 of Lucky in Love
Alex didn’t have to lay eyes on her mom’s face to know it was covered in shock.
“Oh,” Blossom said. “To be honest, I had doubts that you actually existed. Alex claimed she was seeing someone, but with her, I have to manage my expectations. Girls like her have to take what they can get, you know what I mean?”
“No, I don’t,” Brody said, his voice tight. “Why should Alex settle for anything?”
“I don’t mean anything bad by it. It’s just that the town’s so small and she doesn’t want to leave it. Makes it hard to meet people.”
“Well, she met me. And I love it here.”
Bless his heart. Alex was going to owe him big time.
Another silence, and Alex pictured her mother giving Brody the stink eye for daring to contradict her supposition.
“So, you and Alex…” Blossom trailed off as if throwing a baited hook into the lake. When Brody didn’t answer right away, she dropped all pretense. “You’re really dating?”
Ah, yes. The real reason she’d come. Blossom would keep digging until he broke. And it wasn’t fair to let poor Brody deal with her mom’s special brand of lunacy all by himself.
Alex stepped out and cleared her throat. “Mom. What are you doing here?”
Her mother’s eyes grew three sizes. Was it embarrassment at being caught in the act of interrogating Brody? Or surprise that Alex had been in this hot man’s bedroom? Either way, it was time to end the charade and free Brody from her web of deception.
Alex advanced further into the living room, and just as she opened her mouth to come clean, Brody strode to her, wrapped her in his arms, and planted a soft, sensuous kiss on her lips.
“Morning, babe,” he said, pulling away but still holding her. And thank goodness, because she would have melted into the floor without his support. The unexpected kiss might be fake, but it still packed a mind-melting punch.
She wasn’t sure how much time went by before her eyes fluttered open—when had they even closed? Brody stood over her, mirth shining through his stare.
“You owe me,” he whispered close to her ear.
“Put it on my tab,” she whispered back.
“I’m hitting the shower.” He faced away from the door, so her mother didn’t see him wink, but she did witness him slap Alex on the butt before heading to the bedroom.
Holy crap. He was going to do it. He was willing to play along with this farce. Gratitude seeped from every pore.
And just when she thought she couldn’t be any more thankful to anyone for anything, she caught the look on her mom’s face. Ah, the sweet, sweet euphoria of sticking it to her. Even though the whole thing was fake, it didn’t make it any less satisfying.
“Well, I’d better go check on Wesley.” Now that she’d gotten what she came for—proof that Alex’s boyfriend wasn’t imaginary—she was eager to be on her way. “We’re heading out later today, but we’re having brunch with Dad at The Rusty Nail at ten. I told him I’d invite you. And I guess him too.” She inclined her head toward the bedroom.
“Oh, uh, sure,” Alex said. “Brody’s pretty busy, but I’ll try to make it.”
“All right. Well, we’re planning a drive through the park beforehand, in case you need back in your cabin. See you later.”
Blossom narrowed her eyes and glanced around, as if the walls would tell her the real truth. When nothing jumped out to reveal Alex as a fraud, she turned and left.
Alex heaved out a breath and plopped onto the couch. What kind of mess had she gotten herself into?
Brody returned to the living room. “All clear?”
“Yes,” Alex said, her lips still tingling from his kiss. “You didn’t have to go along. But thank you.”
“I didn’t like the way she talked about you.” He sat on the adjoining love seat.
Alex put her head in her hands. “My pride’s gotten me into some jams, but this takes the cake.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said your relationship was complicated.”
“Complicated. Competitive. Unhealthy in a stage four cancer sort of way.” Alex sighed. “I hate that she might be right about Green Valley Falls. That it’s so small, I may never find love here.”
