Page 45 of Living with Death

I exhale, not liking this idea at all. Azrael gestures for me to go first.

“Fine,” I huff.

Mom will say something about the smut on the wall in the kitchen. The doorbell chimes, and I wonder how long she’s been here. Why didn’t she use her key?

My nerves make my stomach hurt as we walk down the hall. I turn to look at him.

“She’s very judgmental.”

“I’m aware.”

“She’s going to say something that will piss you off.”

He sighs. “Open the door, Mabel.”

I swallow and ball my fists. “Okay.” I open the door. Mom stands on the other side. Black heels cover her feet, and she wears a cream-colored pantsuit that shows off her fake tan.

Her eyes widen. “Dear God,” she says, placing her hand over her heart.

I look at Azrael.

He slants his head.

“This can’t be your new guy.”

My first thought is to slam the door in her face. “This is Jack,” I say.

“Surely you aren’t interested in my daughter.”

“I’m not just interested,” he says, his voice lowering.

I narrow my eyes, the corner of my lip lifting. I will not overthink those words.

Mom’s eyes dance between us. A humph rises from her throat. “Mabel, I came by yesterday, but you were gone. I have those clothes I bought you.”

“I don’t need them.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“I’m sure I don’t.”

She sighs. “Why do you have to be so difficult? Can’t a mother do something nice for her daughter without a fight?”

“I didn’t ask you to buy the clothes, Mom, and usually when you do something for me, it’s not for me.”

She looks at Azrael. “I’m sorry. Can you give us a moment?”

He looks at me, and something inside tells me he would stay and have my back if I wished, but I nod, telling him it’s okay.

His eyes bounce to my mother before he pulls me to him, kissing me sweetly on the forehead. “I’ll be close,” he murmurs.

Mother steps out of the way as he walks past her, looking shocked and suspicious. “Pleasure to meet you,” she says, her voice laced with discontent.

“The pleasure was mine.” I don’t believe his words. He shuts the door behind him, and she turns to me. “He’s after your money.”

I throw my hands in the air. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“No.” She walks into the house, tossing a Victoria’s Secret bag onto the couch. “You must watch out for these things. We come from a very wealthy family. Your father made sure we would be taken care of when he died. You can’t have some good-looking man come in and take it all away.”

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