Page 7 of Against the Clock

“Now you sound like my mother.”

“Well, she has a point.You’re not getting any younger.Soon that mythological super sperm you claim to have will be all dried up, and you won’t be able to give her any grandbabies.”

“You’re just as ridiculous as she is,” I laughed.“Now, is there a reason for your call, or did you just want to ruin my Saturday?”

“I was calling to let you know that I won’t be in on Monday.Max needs to pick up some stuff for the wedding, but the only store that has it is in New Jersey, so I’m going to go with him to help.”

“Not a problem.I’ll get one of the new guys to cover the front desk and have Jackson run the floor while I take care of the admin stuff.”

“Thanks, brother.I appreciate it.”

“Hey, that’s what apartnerdoes,” I laughed, then hung up and tucked my phone into my pocket.

It was barely eleven in the morning, but the day was already scorching hot.Instead of my usual button-down shirt and jeans, I opted for a t-shirt and shorts this morning, knowing that I would just get sweaty with moving stuff.

I hadn’t seen Mike yet, so I headed for the house, assuming he was already there and probably convincing his mom to make biscuits and gravy for him.He was a total mama’s boy, and she was a sucker for her only son—a win/win for them most days.

I knocked on the security door before hearing someone yell to come in.I went inside and wiped my shoes on the welcome mat before heading in the direction of the savory sausage I smelled coming from the kitchen.

“Aren’t you going to lock the door?”

I whipped around to see Quinn standing behind me.Her brows were pulled together, her hair knotted in a messy bun on top of her head.Without makeup, I could see the faint dark circles under her eyes and wondered if she had had a rough night last night.

“Sorry,” I muttered, turning to lock the door.When I looked back at her, her brows were raised while she waited for me to slide the deadbolt in place.

My fingers moved slowly as her eyes followed every movement until the door was securely locked.

“Better?”I asked.

“Thank you.”She nodded and tucked her head.

“No problem.”

I followed her into the kitchen, smiling when I saw that I was right about Mike conning his mom into cooking for him.She was standing at the stove with a pink paisley apron tied around her waist while she turned sausage in the skillet.

“Good morning, Mama Sanchez,” I said as I gave her a quick hug from behind and kissed the top of her head.

“You know you can call me Sandra,” she laughed, shaking her head.“Twenty-some years later, and you’re still so formal.Even my own kids aren’t that formal unless they want—”

She turned around and pointed her spatula at me.

“What do you want?”She narrowed her eyes playfully, trying not to smile as I held an empty plate out to her.

Her resolve finally crumbled when she took the plate and laughed, loading it with a generous serving of scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, and gravy from the different pans scattered on the stove.I thanked her before eagerly taking it and finding a place at the table.I hadn’t bothered to say hi to anyone before I reached in and grabbed a few biscuits from the pan in the center of the table.

“Good morning to you too,” Mike said around a bite of food.

“It’s a great morning,” I teased, lifting my fork in salute to his mom.“Thank you again, I’m very spoiled this morning.”

“Thankyoufor coming to help clean up from the party and take all of those tables and chairs back,” Sandra said with a sigh.“Sonia has good intentions but lacks in the follow-up part of most things.”

“Be sure to chew your bites so you don’t choke,” Quinn whispered to Rosie before pulling her hair behind her back so it was out of her precious little face.

“I will, Mom,” Rosie replied before popping a sausage link in her mouth and chewing it.

Quinn sat down next to her and picked up her coffee, bringing the mug to her lips but not bothering to take a drink.I could tell that she was distracted by something, but I didn’t want to ask in front of everyone.

Suddenly her eyes lifted to mine, and she slightly flinched when she found me studying her.She took a drink of coffee and then pulled her phone out of her pocket.With her head down, I couldn’t see her face anymore, so I went back to eating my breakfast.

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