Page 47 of Takedown

“We’ll have to invite your mom and uncle for dinner one day. Maybe in a couple of weeks since they’ll be here for the party this weekend.”

“My mom would love that.”

“You think Uncle Finn will wear his hearing aid?”

“Not a chance in hell.” We both laugh, and once the dishes are done, I wipe down the counter and start the dishwasher. Adam goes to the bedroom, and I take a quick shower. By the time I return, he’s under the covers, and just like the previous nights, I can tell he’s naked.

I pull the sash of my robe and slide underneath the sheets. Adam pulls me close. His hand goes up my t-shirt, and he cups my bare pussy.

25

Adam’s mom shows up half an hour early for our nail appointment. Her jaw nearly falls to the ground when she walks in and sees how the place has transformed. It’s only been a few days, but I love our little apartment more each second. Adam’s taking his plant duties seriously. He even rearranged some to ensure they are getting the correct amount of light needed. He went so far as to order fertilizer sticks online.

“I’m so glad my son has you,” Molly says to me. She pushes a piece of hair behind my ear and pinches my cheek. A giggle escapes at the unexpected gesture. She’s very touchy, which I’m not used to from a mother figure. She must have hugged us at least three times already. “You finally live in a grown-up place, and all you had to do was get married.” She playfully slaps Adam upside the head, and he pretends to be hurt.

“So, there’s nothing you need to do while we’re gone,” I tell my husband. “I picked up the alcohol yesterday and the food won’t be delivered until four.” I reach up and he leans down to kiss my lips.

“Yes, dear. I’ll go get a workout in while you two are gone.” He helps me with my coat and opens the door for me and his mother.

We walk down the stairs, and when we get to Jason’s door, it opens and my mother steps out.

“Melanie.” She pretends to be surprised to see me. I imagine she’s been standing behind the door waiting for us to come down. I’m kicking myself for not going out the back.

“Mother.” She stares at us. My mother raises both eyebrows when she notices Molly’s arm hooked through mine. She crosses her arms and waits. “This is my mother-in-law, Molly Flynn. Molls,” I say, using the nickname I’ve given her, “this is my mother, Diane Dupree.”

Molly hugs my mother. Mom doesn’t pull away, but she remains stiff.

“I see the resemblance,” Molly says. “I’m looking forward to the party tonight and meeting some of Mel’s family. And I can’t wait for all of us to go wedding dress shopping.”

My mother clears her throat and nods. She looks at me, probably waiting for an invitation to the bridal boutique, but I don’t offer one. I know she’s heard about the housewarming, but I didn’t invite her to that either. There’s a part of me that feels a twinge of guilt, but there’s the part who’s worked so hard on not focusing on the damage my mother’s done to me. The part that wants me to be at peace.

“And where are you two headed now?” My mother’s eyes never leave our joined arms.

“Just some girl time. I finally have a daughter.” Molly puts her head on my shoulder. “Manis and pedis. You should join us.”

I visibly cringe at the sudden invitation. My mother looks at me, and I can tell she’s holding her breath. She’s probably waiting for me to invite her, but I can’t think of a single time where we did anything like that together. Not even when I was a pre-teen. The sad thing is, I don’t remember ever wanting to do this with her, and that includes today.

“Maybe another time,” I say quickly. “You’re not dressed, and we don’t want to be late. I still have a lot to do to get ready for the party.”

My mother casts her eyes down, but she looks back up, puts a smile on her face, and says, “Of course. I’ll see you upstairs later.” She looks me directly in the eyes then, almost daring me to tell her she’s not invited. The apartment will be full of people. I don’t give a hoot if she’s there or not, so I nod and pull Molly towards the door.

The ride to the salon isn’t a long one, and I sink into the leather seats of Molly’s Nissan Rogue while she chats. Her voice is cheery, and I find myself liking her Irish brogue.

The salon is practically empty, which is not unexpected on a very cold January day. We’re served quickly, and both of us decide on French manicures and pedicures.

When we’re done, we pick up lunch from my favorite Greek place and take it home. Thankfully, my mother is not waiting for us when we get back.

While I grab plates, Molly walks around again. She smiles when she runs a hand over the blanket draped across Lola.

While we eat, she tells me stories about young Adam and the years they spent in Ireland.

“My mother was sick. I went back to help take care of her,” she says.

“Were you two close?”

She wipes her mouth and tosses the napkin on the table. “Hardly, darling. I could barely wait to get away from her. As soon as I could, I put an entire ocean between us. She was controlling with a mean streak. She wanted me to be a nun.” She rolls her eyes at that declaration, and I laugh at the irritated look on her face.

“A nun? Wow.”

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