Page 125 of Dangerous Encore
"Starting after this." She takes my hand and places it on the couch. "And don't bullshit me. We've talked about having kids. Youwantthem."
"I do." I cup the back of her head with my hand and I pull her into a soft kiss. She tastes good. And the way she's groaning against my lips is making me forget we're on hold withherdad.
"Lacey, sweetie, is that really you." There's a woman's voice flowing from the cell speaker. It's as husky as her father's voice, but it's decidedly lesscheerful.
Lacey yelps as she pulls back. "Hey, Mom. Howareyou?"
"Good. It's been so long. Why haven't you called?" her mom asks. "Imissyou."
"I miss you too." My fiancée's voice is sincere. She wants her mom in her life. Some version of her mom. One who doesn't fuck with her again and again. "Did dadtellyou?"
"Only that you're on the phone," hermomsays.
"Okay, well I will." She takes a deep breath. Her words are slow. Punctuated. "I'm engaged. My boyfriend asked me to marry him. Last night." Lacey takes my hand and squeezes tightly. "We wanted youtoknow."
"Your boyfriend?" Her mom's voice is impossibletoread.
"Yeah. Mal. He's sweet. You'dlikehim."
"Why haven't I met him?" hermomasks.
Lacey's posturestiffens.
She's been intentionally out of touch with her mom for years. Is her mom in denial about that or is she starting aguilttrip?
Either way, I don'tlikeit.
Lacey ignores the question. "We're busy, but um… Dad told me about dinnerSunday."
"Yes, spaghetti and meatballs this week. You have to come. And you have to bring him. Mal,wasit?"
"Yeah."
"You can look through my old wedding albums. I can help you plan. You'd never plan your wedding without my input. Iknowthat."
Lacey tenses. "I guess wecango."
I bite my tongue. Every molecule in my body screamsstopthis.
Lacey needsclosure.
But like this? Idon'tknow.
"Still Sunday at seven?"sheasks.
"Of course," her mom replies. "I'll bring out the good wine. You can try on mydress."
"Yeah?" Lacey's voice gets soft. "It'sbeautiful."
"It will need alterations, of course. And it's really meant for a curvier figure. You might need something that plays down your smallchest."
"Yeah…" Lacey presses her lips together. "I guessthat'strue."
"And we'll have to find a hairstyle to play down the roundness of your face," hermomsays.
What the hellisthat?
I know women look at their bodies completely differently than men do. Every commercial and women's magazine in existence sells the messagesomething is wrongwithyou.
