Page 7 of Santa’s Little Faker
Would a woman send something like that?
I’d never had a relationship with one beyond a few awkward dates in high school before I’d figured my shit out, but I wasn’t surprised when he laughed and shook his head. “Na, women don’t do things like that. I’m…I’ve…let’s just say it’s someone who’s interested in me.”
Like a stalker.
Trying not to frown at him, I nodded slowly and tried again. “What does your family think of them? I can imagine them having strong opinions.”
Orlando looked like he was trying not to laugh but his grin said he knew how insane they were. “Yeah, they have strong opinions about everything, but right now they’re focused on Enzo and his new…boyfriend. Terrence is really nice.”
And had clearly been putting ideas in Orlando’s head.
“That’s good. He deserves someone nice.” That was true enough that Orlando stopped looking like he was holding back giggles.
“They’re a good fit for each other.” Doing a happy wiggle that made him look like a golden retriever, he smiled wider. “Terrence is really smart and Enzo loves being able to take care of him.”
Was that what had made him curious about BDSM?
“That’s great. They seemed to have hit it off fast, though.” At least it felt that way. “The last time I saw his mother she was talking about trying to hook him up with that girl down at the library.”
She was weird…which was probably why Enzo’s mother liked her.
Orlando winced, happy wiggles gone in a heartbeat. “They’ve tried to introduce her to every guy in the family…um…will you help me and find a way to point out to my mother that she’s on some kind of work release for…well…stuff?”
Jail?
Really?
“You’ve got to be kidding?” I hadn’t seen her but I’d heard someone in the family mention her before. Maybe Orlando’s mother? “Wait. Didn’t your mother mention her at the last family dinner I went to?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, um, I don’t want to say anything negative and my mother just isn’t listening to anything polite. So…will you help me?”
Those wide eyes were going to be the death of me.
Or his mother’s bad decisions.
“Yes.” They were all ridiculous. “Please tell me you figured that out before you had to take her out on a date?”
Orlando cocked his head, still looking like a puppy. “Do you want me to lie?”
Good grief.
Closing my eyes and letting out a deep breath got a quiet laugh from him. “How bad was the date?”
“More awkward than bad.” His cheerful tone didn’t give me enough information about what had happened, but I was smart enough to worry about what was coming. “She was really nice up until she explained that I met her victim profile and asked me if I wanted to continue with the date or not.”
For fuck’s sake.
“Yes, I will talk to your mother.” And save Orlando and the rest of the single men in the family from their crazy mothers.
Wait.
Panicking, I opened my eyes again. “Did she send you the flowers?”
Was that his Secret Santa?
Orlando immediately started shaking his head. “I got the first present from them before that weird date.”
How many weirdos did he have in his life?
