Page 89 of A Very Merry Mistake

He searches my face. Since I woke up, I’ve replayed the whole scene—me riding him, my nipples in his mouth, and coming several times.

“I don’t know,” he admits, running his fingers through his messy hair before putting a beanie on. “I didn’t think about that.”

“She conveniently showed up right afterward.”

He nods, swallowing hard. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Not like she saw anything anyway with how fogged the windows were.” He shoots me a wink. “And if she did, oh well. But we better not leave Mawmaw waitin’. She tends to get impatient when visitors are supposed to come over.”

“Right, let’s go,” I say, leading him outside. Jake locks the door and double-checks it. Since Lacy showed up unannounced, he’s been diligent, which I appreciate.

I’m not sure what that woman is capable of, but something is wrong with her. When I looked into her eyes, they seemed hollow, like she didn’t have a soul. Then again, I’m sure people have said the same about me, too.

Jake’s grandma lives on the opposite side of the property, further than his parents do. I love seeing how large the farm is, how many structures there are, and what the landscape is like. Each section is a private oasis, and each family member lives in a different area.

When we pull up to the two-story home, I’m in awe of the large porch. Behind her house, there’s a pond. When we exit the truck, I see several geese and ducks waddling around..

“We can check it out afterward,” he says, as if he can read my mind.

It makes me smile as he leads me up the steps. Jake doesn’t knock but walks right in and starts yelling. “Mawmaw! Mawmaw! Where ya at?”

He grabs my hand, leading me through the house, which smells like vanilla. The walls are lined with different-sized frames containing photos of her kids and grandkids.

“In here!” she says.

He glances over his shoulder at me and winks. When we enter the large living room, we find his grandmother sitting on the couch with a quilt on her lap, talking on the phone.

“Oh, Bethany. I gotta let you go,” she says into the phone. “Jake just walked in with his new girlfriend. Yeah, she’s pretty. I’ll call you when they leave. Yes, I will. Make sure your hearin’ aid is turned up so you can hear the phone ring. I said, make sure your hearin’ aid is turned up! Okay. Bye now.”

As she hangs up, I tuck my lips in my mouth, not wanting to laugh but finding her cute.

“Mawmaw, this ain’t my girlfriend,” he says.

She waves him off. “Come here, sweetie. Let me get a good look at ya.”

I’m more nervous now than I was when I met his parents. She’s a cute older woman with curly gray hair that’s cut short. Her glasses are on the edge of her button nose, and I see the resemblance between her and Jake’s dad. Her green eyes shine.

I take a step forward, smiling, almost as if I should bow to this queen. She holds out her hand, and I take it.

“So nice to meet you, dear. I’m Mawmaw. That’s what everyone calls me.”

“I’m Claire. It’s lovely meeting you. Jake has told me so much about you.”

She looks at him. “He better have said I’m his favorite grandma.”

“Oh, he did.” I shoot her a wink.

“Have a seat. You want some sweet tea?” She tries to stand, and Jake gently touches her shoulder.

“I’ve got it. Claire, would you like some tea? Mawmaw?”

“Sure,” I say.

“Yes, dear.”

He quickly disappears into the kitchen.

“So, baby, tell me about yourself. I heard you were from outta town.” Her Southern accent is thick.

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, wanting her to know that I indeed have manners, even if I’m an outsider. “I grew up in California but moved to New York after my mother passed away.”

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