Page 44 of Misconception (Unrequited 2)

I laughed. “Where? At the bottom of the pool?”

“That might be the wisest course,” she said just as the gate opened.

“Ah, there you are, darling.” Michaela’s mom sashayed across the stone surround of the pool, wearing high heels and some kind of flowy garment that had more fabric than any dress I’d ever seen. On her head, she wore a silky, white wrap, a diamond brooch fastening the fabric in the center.

“Oh my, you have a visitor,” she said when she spotted me.

Michaela popped up from her lounger chair, kissing her mother’s cheek. “Hi, Mom. Did you tell me you were stopping by?”

“No, darling. But I booked a last-minute show in Palm Springs, so I’ll be flying out in the morning. I just came by to say goodbye. Now, aren’t you going to introduce me to your very handsome, veryyoungfriend?”

By that time, I was standing behind Michaela, wishing like hell I was meeting her mom with more clothing on.

Michaela reached for me, weaving her fingers with mine. “Mom, this is Moses Aronson, father of The Bump and my friend. Mo, this is my mom, Gabrielle Ellis, who has absolutely no filter, so watch out.”

We shook hands, and Gabrielle’s grip was a lot more firm than I’d been expecting.

“Hello, Moses. So, you’re the cad who screwed my daughter without a rubber. I figured you had to be blindingly handsome to make Michaela lose her mind in such a way. It seems I figured right.” Gabrielle’s eyes traveled over me from head to toe.

Michaela gasped, but I laughed. I mean, fuck, yeah, I was the cad who screwed her daughter without a rubber. No denying that.

“I’m going to take that as a compliment, Ms. Ellis.”

She waved me off. “It’s Gabby. We’re not formal in this family.” She glanced back and forth between the two of us. “I’ve never had a problem with younger men, but I know your age difference makes my Mickey feel self-conscious.”

“Mom, must you?”

“Maybe you should have hidden at the bottom of the pool,” I murmured to her, making her giggle and squeeze my hand tighter.

“I must, Mickey. Moses will be part of this family forever, so I’m not going to pretend to be someone I’m not to impress some fly-by-night man.” She arched a perfect eyebrow at me. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“No, not at all.”

Gabby was gorgeous. Michaela wasn’t her spitting image—her mother’s skin was several shades darker, and her face was rounder, while Michaela’s was angular and sharp—but the resemblance was there.

“Can I ask what kind of show you’re doing out in Palm Springs?” I added.

Gabby huffed at Michaela, affronted. “I see you haven’t told your man very much about your mother.”

“Funny, the topic of you hasn’t come up.” Michaela turned to face me. “This is not a dig on your age, but you might be too young to remember the extremely popular song, 'Gold Moon.’” My mother won two Grammys that year, and she still rakes in cash from royalties. She never had another mainstream hit, but she’s had a four-decade career as an R&B singer, and now she does a cabaret show.”

“Did you have to mention my lack of mainstream success?” Gabby asked.

“I know 'Gold Moon.’ Who doesn’t?” I ran my hand over my face. “Wow. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. Mad respect to you. Mad respect. Maybe we can lay down a track together, if the timing works out.”

Gabby glowed under my praise, looking more like Michaela’s sister than her mom. But I wasn’t bullshitting. “Gold Moon” was one of those songs I knew by heart, even though I didn’t remember the name of the singer. Well, now I’d never forget.

“That’s certainly something to keep in mind,” she answered.

Michaela rolled her eyes. “You might not align with my mom’s vision for her career.”

Gabby huffed. “I didn’t turn him down, darling.” She softened, closing in on Michaela. “I won’t be back before you leave for tour, so give me a big hug and tell me you adore me.”

Michaela dropped my hand to hug her mom, and they both traded words of adoration. Gabby then gave me a tight hug, whispering for me to be a good boy and take care of her daughter. She smelled almost as good as her daughter. I had to hold back from sniffing her.

When she sashayed away again, I stared after her. Michaela touched my arm, bringing my gaze back to her.

“Uh oh, I recognize the Gabby Ellis daze when I see it,” she said.

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