Page 89 of Burning Love
“It was in my office at work. But what’s the big deal? It was a work thing. I’ll have to give West a piece of my mind for getting upset over that. Even pulling Braylon into it.”
“I already did. By the end of the call Braylon was fine and West seemed to be. I know the age thing was the first part, but then the picture upset them more. There were a lot of comments about him from women and they were more concerned he was a playboy.”
“He’s thirty-seven, extremely good looking, and has never had a serious relationship. I’d say they have a right to be concerned.”
“You set me up,” she said, pointing her finger at her mother. “Just like you do everyone else. You wanted them to look into him and get on my case.”
Her mother smirked. “You’re defending Jace.”
Her shoulder slumped. “You’re so sneaky.”
“I wanted you to admit to yourself what you really feel for him.”
“I almost know how I feel. Or was starting to feel.”
“But now you’re not?” her mother asked. “What happened?”
She debated telling her mother. She knew she could trust her if it mattered.
This mattered.
“You’ll keep this to yourself?”
“Do I have to?” her mother asked.
“Yes. You’ve got to promise me this. It’s private and personal in Jace’s life. Not horrible, but still personal.”
“Fine. I’ll keep quiet.”
She told her mother about Jace’s mother and what happened in his life. “Isn’t that just horrible? What his mother did and then how wonderful his father was.”
“As a mother, I will tell you that I’d do anything to keep my children safe. To keep them with me. Maybe Stella felt threatened.”
“I don’t know. I didn’t say that and wouldn’t. It’s not my place and I wasn’t there.”
“That’s where you’re so much more mature than anyone gives you credit for, Talia. You know enough to be supportive and not judgmental.”
“Thank you, Mom,” she said, moving over to give her mother a hug. “Tell West that.”
“Your brother knows, but he’s always going to feel protective of you. All your brothers will.”
“Elias wasn’t bad.”
“I expected him to be worse. He’s been your biggest champion. You’ve proven yourself to your siblings and me where and when it matters. Let’s get back to you and Jace. He’s having a bad day. He opens up to you. And I have to say I’m a little stunned over that.”
“I was too. I think so was he. But he kept talking. He didn’t want me to see how upset it made him, but I couldn’t hold back my emotions either. What a great guy his father is.”
“Very much so. It takes a special person to do what Dean did. An even more special person for Lauren. That could have easily caused a rift in their marriage. I’m not so sure I’d be that accepting to find out that my husband had a secret child out there.”
“You would have been fine once you realized your husband didn’t even know.”
“I think you’re right. Move onto what the fight was about.”
“It wasn’t a fight, just me losing my patience with him. He told me his father brought up his family would like to meet me.”
“And he doesn’t want them to?”
“We didn’t get that far,” she admitted.
