Page 18 of His Pretty Little Lies
"That's her, Cosima, and when she sees you—" he gives a slight shake of his head.
"You're starting to worry me. Maybe I want to go back to the warehouse instead."
"Just don't let her freak you out is all."
"You're freaking me out! Will I be tortured?”
"I mean, maybe with questions, but she's harmless."
"You're so full of it. I don't think any Marino is harmless."
"That's not true. My Aunt Tova is harmless."
"She's married to War, right?" The head of the Marino family's wife is harmless. Interesting. I'm not sure this family is what I think it is. I'll be getting a front-row seat to that shortly.
"Married, kidnapped." He gives me a teasing smirk as he rolls to a stop.
"You're teasing me, trying to lighten the mood."
"Shit, here she comes." I turn my head to see the blonde flying out the front door.
"Jax! Who do you have here? You didn't tell me you were bringing someone home." Cosima pulls at the passenger door handle, but it’s locked. “What the hell?” she huffs.
“She means well,” Jax says, “but it’s easier if we rip the Band-Aid off.”
“What—” I’m cut off by the sound of the locks opening. Cosima jerks the door open; her bright blue eyes lock right on me. A giant smile overtakes her whole face. She’s even more stunning up close.
“The reporter!” she squeals. Is she talking about me? “You brought home not only a beautiful girl but a smart one!” Okay, that’s really sweet and nice. But I kind of love that she considers me a reporter.
“Mom, pump the brakes and step back so she can get out.”
“Right,” Cosima takes a breath, stepping back. “Are you hungry? Are you two dating? What’s happening?” Okay. This is not how I expected this to go.
“Mom,” Jax mutters. “I meant to pump the brakesandgive her some space.”
“Oh my God, I’m being good.” Cosima throws her hands up. Jax unclips my seat belt. I’m kind of frozen, not sure what to make of her; this isn’t what I thought I would be getting with her after those warnings. “You can’t fault me. I’m with all these boys. I get excited for girls. It took me four tries to get a girl.” She holds up four fingers, wiggling them, showing off her shiny pink nail polish and a very impressive wedding ring you’d never miss. She is very girly from head to toe.
“Mom,” Jax pleads again with her. It’s actually quite adorable.
“I don’t really have much of an appetite right now, but thanks for the offer, Mrs. Marino.” I only answered her first question, skipping over the other two.
“Call me Cosima. We’re practically family.” She pulls me into a hug. Before I even know what’s happening, I find myself wrapping my arms around her.
“She’s never going to come back,” Jax murmurs.
“Oh, you hush,” Cosima says, releasing me from the hug. Her hands come to my face, cupping my cheeks. “You’re so tall and beautiful.”
“Ah, thanks.” Heat rushes to my cheeks. This woman has given me more affection and compliments in the last five minutes than my parents have all year.
“All this hair, did you braid it yourself?” She grabs one of my two braids.
“The braids help control it.”
“Do you mind, Mom?” Jax takes hold of my wrist and gives a small tug, so I step back.
“Maybe I do mind.” Cosima puts her hands on her hips.
“If I give you something, will you let us breathe?”
