Page 52 of Burning Love
“I’m not so sure many will be happy with Jace. Mom met him.”
“Okay, I need to know now. How can Mom not know who you are dating if she met him?”
“It’s the fire captain that came to the house a few weeks ago.”
Laken burst out laughing. “Mom suspects that.”
“Really?” she said, her shoulders dropping.
“Yeah. You might as well admit it. She put it together you’re hiding that because she might not approve because she’d made a comment that he was too old. Is that it?”
“That’s part of it.”
“How old is he?” Laken asked.
“Thirty-seven,” she said, wincing.
Laken mirrored the look. “That’s a year younger than West.”
“I know. But he doesn’t act like West. He’s mature, but not a dad about it.”
“West was a dad to you because you needed one,” Laken said. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but what you said to me a while ago sunk in. You have no memories of Dad. I do. You missed that. West tried to make up for that. He didn’t always do the best job, but he tried.”
“I know he did. So there is the age thing with Jace. And something else.”
“What’s that?”
“He’s never had a serious relationship. He was very clear he’s never looked for one.”
“Yet you’re spending time with him? This is a friends-with-benefits thing?”
“It’s not that for me,” she said. “I told him that when it turns into more for me, he’ll be the first to know and he can decide to stay or go.”
“That’s pretty bold.”
“He’s been upfront with me so I’m being it with him.”
“Upfront about what?” Laken asked.
“Nothing I feel right sharing.”
“Once West finds out, he’s going to look into Jace. You know that, don’t you?”
Her jaw dropped. “Has he done that with everyone I’ve dated?”
“No. Not that I’m aware of. But Mom is worked up about this. It’s sending red flags. That’s why I’m talking to you.”
“I guess I played my cards wrong on this one. The more I don’t say, the more she wants to know.”
“You absolutely didn’t play them wrong. I would have done the same thing at your age with Mom. She put it out there and judged him so you don’t want to hear anymore. That’s on her for speaking before she should have.”
“He’s a stand-up guy. He really is. He works hard at the fire department. His father owns a successful construction company he worked at before he was a fireman. He still helps his father on days off, but he’s rehabbing a house for himself. It’s beautiful. He’s done such a great job.”
“You’ve been to his house?” Laken asked.
“A few times.”
“Have you had sex yet?”
