Page 84 of Forget Me

Who knew what my mother would say? I’d never been unlucky enough for her to walk in on one of my one-night stands. Usually, I sent them home well before dawn.

I walked out the door and gently closed it behind me. My mother sat on the couch, legs crossed, wearing winter-white slacks and a navy and white striped sweater. She’d draped her coat over the arm of the sofa like she was staying for a while.

“Morning, Mom. What are you doing here?”

She stood and kissed my cheek. “What kind of greeting is that for your mother when you haven’t answered my texts or calls for a week?”

“Sorry. I meant to. But I’ve been so busy with work and the foundation—”

“And the sexy naked man?”

“Yes. Him, too. Why are you here so early?”

“I told you. I wanted to make sure you weren’t dead on the floor, your body being eaten by rats. But I see someone much more pleasant has been eat—”

“Mom!”

“Your sex glow is absolutely obscene.” Her smile widened. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Mom!”

“What? I hate thinking of you all alone in this apartment. I’m glad you’re enjoying your sexual freedom.” She gasped. “Is this yournew, casualman?”

My stomach flipped, and not in the joyful way it did when Mateo kissed me. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not discuss my sexual freedom with you.”

She shrugged. “Suit yourself. I was a little distracted by his big schlong, but I think I remember you said he’s a relative of Cooper’s?”

I covered my hot cheeks. “Why don’t I introduce you?”

“That would be lovely. Tell him he doesn’t have to put on clothes on my account.”

“Gross, Mom.”

I returned to the bedroom, where Mateo perched, fully clothed, on the comforter. He’d made the bed and picked up the clothes I’d tossed on the floor. He fidgeted with the ring on his finger.

He reached for my hand. “I’m sorry, mi tesoro.”

I squeezed his hand. “It’s okay. Come meet my mother.”

He nodded like I’d asked him to stand in front of a firing squad.

He followed me from the bedroom to the couch. Mom stayed seated, scanning him from head to toe.

“Mom, this is Mateo Rivera. You remember I mentioned we’re seeing each other? He’s Cooper’s cousin.”

She held out her hand, and I thought for a second he might bow over it and kiss it like a prince in a movie, but he only shook it.

“Mateo, this is my mother, Jeannie Levy.”

“Sorry about earlier,” he said, releasing her hand. “Usually, I try to make a better first impression on my girlfriend’s mother.”

Both of them stared at me when I gasped.Girlfriend?No. We weresonot there yet. Sure, I’d broken my no-repeat rule for him, and I’d even admitted I had feelings for him, butgirlfriend?I wasn’t ready for that. Not with him. Not with anyone.

“We don’t have to pretend for my mother.” I’d make her swear never to reveal the truth in front of Ben or Cooper. And my lawyer mother might not understand boundaries, but she knew something about confidentiality.

“Pretend?” His eyebrows scrunched down.

The intercom dinged, and Mom stood. “I’ll just go see who’s downstairs. Give you two kids a minute.”

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