Page 82 of Chance of Romance
He already had St. Patrick's Day locked down with a local pub crawl and live band. He kept that to himself, angling for more. He loved a good negotiation. “Eight long weeks for one event? Pass.”
Her brown eyes flashed, and he bit back a smile, enjoying himself for the first time all night. She parked a hand on her hip. “Come on! It will hardly be any work for you at all. Just stand next to me looking pretty.”
“Two events.” No one could pull off two events in such a short timeframe.
She tossed her head. “Geez, I have a real job you know.”
“Okay, fine. Good night.” He turned and headed for the door.
She kept up with him. “I was on my way out too.”
He picked up the pace to hold the door open for her. Gentleman manners had been drilled into his head by his honorary dad, Joe Campbell.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, walking out to the small foyer. She pulled her black wool coat off the rack and stuck her arm in the sleeve.
He shifted behind her and helped her put it on.
“Uh, thanks,” she said softly.
“Yup.” He snagged his own black wool coat and shrugged his shoulders into it. They matched in black coats. They were also alone in the small space, which he was doing absolutely nothing about. Fuck Valentine's Day. Fuck happy couples. He was a proud lion.
He buttoned his coat and then stiffened, pulling his phone from his pants pocket. He'd set it to vibrate. It was a text from his mom asking him to please bring the groceries tonight. It was Friday and usually he did the grocery shopping for her on Sunday. He blew out a breath, her current condition weighing heavily on his shoulders. Ever since she'd lost her job just before Christmas she hadn't left the house. Not even to go to dinner with him at their favorite diner. Agoraphobia it was called. He'd felt better when he'd discovered it had a name, which meant other people had been through similar stuff and had come out the other side. So far he hadn't had any luck getting her to talk to a professional about it.
He texted back.I'm at a Valentine's Day dance. I'll stop by with the groceries after.
Three dots blinked on the phone screen as she typed. He waited, brows furrowed with concern.
“Everything okay?” Lexi asked gently.
His head jerked up, surprised she actually sounded like she cared. He must look as worried as he felt. “My mom's not well.” He glanced down at his phone.
Mom:Thank you. I hope you meet a nice girl there. It makes me so sad to see you alone.
His mom had been on him for years to settle down. He was thirty-three, not old, and he'd already been settled down once, but lately she'd been saying she needed to know he had someone because she wouldn't always be around. She wasn't suicidal, she just felt old at fifty-one, which he didn't think was very old at all. She had plenty of good years ahead of her if only he could get her past her fear of leaving the house.
He slowly lifted his gaze to Lexi, also looking very alone. He had a crazy thought. What if he brought Lexi with him to his mom's house? He'd do anything to make his mom happy. It killed him to see her reduced to a shadow of her former self.
“Sorry to hear about your mom,” Lexi said. “What kind of illness does she have?”
His throat tightened unexpectedly at her concern. He'd been the man of the house since he was eight years old. It had always been him and his mom against the world. But he was blowing it. Her condition was getting worse, and he was worried enough that he found himself blurting the truth. “It's not a physical illness, more mental. She was laid off right before Christmas and hasn't left her house since. Almost two months.”
“My aunt had that. Agoraphobia.”
His jaw dropped. “Really? Did she get better?”
Lexi nodded. “Eventually. My mom and I spent a lot of time with her being supportive and encouraging. She worked with a psychiatrist too. She's a lot better now and goes out regularly.”
Hope speared through him. Lexi might be able to do a lot more than just brighten his mom's day posing as his girlfriend, she might be able to help her with the agoraphobia. Maybe Lexi could tell her about her aunt and how well she was doing now. Maybe his mom would finally be willing to talk to a professional.
“Lexi, I know what I want out of this.”
Her eyes widened. “Out of what?”
“Your relationship of convenience.”
“Oh. That.” She waved that away. “Never mind. I can't do two events for you, and I could tell you weren't really into the idea. It was silly.”
“No, no, no. I see its merits now. I'll show up with you at a few parties and, in return, you show up with me a few times at my mom's place.”
