Page 24 of Extra Witchy

“Oh? What have we talked about? Apart from you telling me to get my act together.”

When she remained silent, he offered a wry smile and shook his head. “See? Nothing. I’m not attacking you, but facts are facts. Look on the bright side, you can build that party room and focus on Tanner. He’s proof you and Dad raised us right.I’mthe problem, and I’m getting out of your way. Never thought you’d see the day, huh?”

“What’s your girlfriend like?” she asked in a small voice.

He took a ridiculous amount of pride in the answer. “Her name is Leanne. She’s smart and beautiful, and she works for the mayor.”

Barb’s eyes widened, visible even in the dim light filtering from the garage. “She sounds lovely. How did you meet?”

“Through mutual friends. We hit it off immediately.” Everything sounded so…normal when he explained it this way. He couldn’t resist bragging a little, so he got out his phone and pulled up the city website then clicked on Leanne’s page. There was a flattering headshot, along with a short bio about her early life, education, and professional experience. “This is her.”

He handed the phone to his mother, waiting for her reaction.

Mom skimmed the whole profile and glanced up with genuine amazement rounding her eyes. “She’s gorgeous! And so impressive. I take back what I said before. I’m happy for you, and I hope it works out. Do your best!”

He’d forgotten how it felt to have her smile at him proudly; it probably hadn’t happened since he got admitted to college. “Thanks,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t notice the ironic edge to his tone.

She didn’t. “I’ll help you pack the car. Many hands make light work!”

That was one of her favorite truisms, trotted out when she wanted him to help with some shit he didn’t want to do. “Thanks.”

It was faster with her carting and loading alongside him, though. Soon he had everything, and the trunk and back seat were filled to the brim. “Anything I left behind, you can sell or donate. I’ve sorted through everything fully.”

“I love you,” she said, ignoring his comments on disposing of his remaining junk. “It might not seem that way, and I’m sure it appears that we favor your brother, but he’s…easier. He likes approval, and he works for it. You…you are not motivated in the same way. It’s tough to know what to say, and you’re—”

Don’t say “sensitive.”

“—sensitive.”

Of course.He couldn’t count how often he’d been called that, usually in a derogatory fashion. In this house, it wasnevera compliment.

“Moody,” Barb added, as if she hadn’t said enough already.

“Yeah, well, I’m someone else’s problem now. Take care.” He got in the car, grateful he still had some cash and gas in the tank.

This was a huge leap of faith, entrusting himself to someone he’d just met, but Leanne seemed to have a plan, and that was more than Trev had. He backed out of the driveway and drove across St. Claire to the gated community where Leanne lived. As promised, she had a card waiting for him with the guard; he just had to show ID to claim it. Then he scanned the pass card and found a place to park. She’d said she would register his car and get him an assigned spot, but visitor parking would do for now.

He grabbed the first box and took the elevator up. The pass code worked too.I can’t believe this is actually happening.When he went in, he found Junie still in the condo, and she beamed as he carted the first box into Leanne’s bedroom. Junie would think it was weird if he stashed his stuff elsewhere.

“This is so exciting! I was afraid LeLe would never take the leap again. Let me help you unload. I could use the exercise. I’m sick of sitting around all day.” She sighed. “I thought I’d get to spend time with her if I dropped by, but all she does is work.”

“Yeah, she’s driven,” he said.

If she wasn’t, he wouldn’t be here, bound by a verbal agreement to be her First Gentleman.Mom will be so proud. Hell, Tanner might even be jealous.It gave him a disconcerting amount of pleasure imagining how much his brother would hate seeing Trev getting positive press coverage.

Junie chatted nonstop the whole time they unpacked his car. Trev understood why Leanne avoided her; she was so desperate for company that she treated Trev like they were best friends already. When they finished up about forty minutes later, he knew an embarrassing and frankly inappropriate level of detail regarding her…colorful past. Bemused, he locked the car, headed back upstairs, and glanced around his new home, fighting a wave of incredulity.

This is so fucking surreal.

“Her taste is boring,” Junie said, misreading his expression. “It looks like a fancy hotel, but with even less personality.”

Trev turned, folding his arms. Junie seemed to agree with his parents: no qualms about disrespecting her kid. “Youmight not like it, but I do. Leanne has fantastic taste.”

“I sure do,” Leanne said.

She stood in the open door of the condo, and he hadn’t heard her come in, too busy starting an argument with her mom.Not the best beginning.Or that was what he thought, until she added, “I pickedyou, after all.”

She crossed to him and kissed him passionately, only pulling back to whisper, “Loving that loyalty, Trevor Montgomery. Knew I made the right call with you.”

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