Page 46 of Burning Love
“I know. I’m not saying anything about him. I don’t want to jinx it.”
It might get them off her back that she was more invested in hoping something worked out rather than saying what Jace did for a living.
If she said he was a fireman, her mother would know right away who it was.
“Talia,” Elias said. “Seriously. Does he not work?”
“Of course he works. He does construction.”
There. That was the truth. It was only a part-time job though.
“So he’s handy,” her mother said. “That’s a great guy to have around.”
“Mom is already making a list of things she wants changed in the house,” Elias said.
“Are you kidding me?” her mother said. “If West found out I did that or wanted something, he’d have my head for not going to him first. When are you going to see this mystery man again, Talia?”
“I don’t know and we are leaving for New York on Friday.”
She, her mother, and Phoebe, along with any other extended family that could make it to the airport for a flight on West’s private jet for Abby’s baby shower would be going on Friday afternoon. They’d be returning on Sunday via the jet as well.
“I hope for you it works out,” her mother said. “Just remember to take it slow and don’t force it.”
“The pot calling the kettle,” Elias said. “You married Dad in six weeks.”
“Because you were pregnant,” Talia said.
“I didn’t know I was pregnant when your father and I married,” her mother argued. “Maybe West was early. If we want to talk about it, I’d had sex with your father for the first time two weeks before we married. Sometimes you’ve got to try a car out before you buy it.”
Her hands went to her ears. “I’m not listening to this.”
“Me neither,” Elias said. “Mom!”
“I’m only pointing out what you all have done and for you not to give your sister a hard time either. Got it, Elias?”
“Oh great. Now you’re sticking up for her. How many times in the last decade have I been the one to get called to deal with things because I was the closest?”
Talia moved over and gave her brother a hug. “Thank you for that. And for not being too much of a jerk when you met men I’ve dated.”
“It doesn’t mean I don’t want to still do it,” Elias said.
“You’ll be the first to know if it comes to that.”
“Why won’t you say anything about this man?” Aileen asked on the drive home.
“Why do you care so much?”
“Because you’re evading enough that my radar is up. You’re too secretive and that means either you think we won’t approve for some reason or you’re afraid that I’m going to scare him off. Or someone else in the family is going to.”
Her mother was good.
“There you go.”
Her mother turned her head, her expression stunned belief. “Which one is it?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“I don’t like to think it’s because we wouldn’t approve and you’re dating someone to rebel.”
