Chapter 85 Chapter Eighty Six

Chapter 85 Chapter Eighty Six
The look on my mom’s face when she opened the door to three sweaty people standing outside, was exactly how I’d imagined it. 
Especially when her gaze landed on Christopher who clearly towered over the rest of us. Her jaw dropped and her mouth hung open for several seconds and then she cleared her throat. 
“Why didn’t you tell me you were bringing friends over, Grace?” She reached out to smack my shoulder. I winced, grabbing my arm as I stepped back. What did she expect me to do? Inform her that the boyfriend I never told her about and his grandfather I didn’t know existed until…uhm, hours ago, were on their way? 
Actually, that would’ve made sense.  
But it just so happened I was thinking about other things. 
“I’m sorry,” she shook her head, with the same sigh Chris gave when he was talking about Jace. Like we were bad children. “My daughter can be a little forgetful sometimes. I’m in the middle of making dinner—so if you’d like to join me, please come in.”
Christopher’s laugh nearly blew her away. 
My mom was several inches shorter than me, so I definitely caught her stumble back an inch. 
“I knew I was right to skip lunch,” he grinned. “But I apologize for dropping in unannounced, so how about we make it my treat? I know a good restaurant just down the corner—you can have a fine bottle of wine that’s been aged for years.”
“Oh no,” my mom flicked her wrist, a smile on her face. The brightest smile I’d seen on her face in ages. My mouth opened a millimeter, watching her react to Christopher as if they were best friends that lost contact years ago. 
“You’re my guests. I should be treating you, not the other way around.”
“And my mother didn’t bring me up to be rude,” Chris countered smoothly. “I would like some to take home after, though. I’m sure nothing beats a home cooked meal.”
My mom chuckled. “Rude? Absolutely not. Any friend of my daughter’s is welcome in my home.” She smiled fondly at Jace, who instantly smiled back, folding like a spineless pretzel. 
“A moment ago and you were worried that she wouldn’t like you,” I muttered to Jace under my breath. 
He shrugged, his shoulders lifting carelessly. “I said that for your benefit. I told you, Thompson, everybody loves me.”
I clicked my tongue as I shook my head, “rightttt.”
“Who do you think is going to win, though?” He whispered, nudging at his granddad and my mom that were still going at it. 
Christopher had filled the doorway, his broad shoulders clearly intimidating, but his voice strictly polite and patronizing. 
I pulled Jace aside. “Wanna bet? Your grandfather looks like he’s never lost to anyone in his life. And my mom is kind to a fault, so she’s going to let him have his way in the end.”
Jace tapped his chin, his eyes narrowing as he watched them. “I don’t know,” he said. “Your mom is holding her own. Most people would’ve given up already, either out of fear or…out of fear.”
“How much?” I asked with a sly grin. 
I had this one in the bag. 
“Can you pay?” He asked. 
My lips curled as I glared at him. “I know I don’t have as much money as you do, Jace Hunter, but—
“A kiss,” he interrupted, his face getting too close. His eyebrows rose as I gaped at him. I knew he was mischievous, but we were standing in front of our parents. Well, parent and grandfather. “A kiss, Grace Thompson. The winner gets to choose where and when.”
I planted my hands on my hips, my eyes narrowing. “Why do I have a feeling that you’ll get something out of this either way?”
He winked. “Because I enjoy kissing you, Thompson. But if I win, it means I can get creative with it. And if you win, well,” his shoulders rose as he lifted his palms face up, “you get to think of ways to torture me with a kiss.”
It still felt shady. 
But I didn’t mind kissing him…or making him beg for it either. I shot my thumb up. “Deal.”
“Good.” He stamped the pad of his thumb to mine. We turned, just as Christopher glanced over his shoulder, his gaze warm on my face. 
“…andthe amazing mother of my grandson’s incredible girlfriend, this young lady, deserves to be celebrated.”
Like the hypocrite I was, I found myself cheesing at his words. And ignoring Jace’s underhanded comment he muttered under the guise of a cough. “that’s not going to work.” 
His grandfather wasn’t giving up any time soon, though. He turned to my mom again, holding up his hands. “I know you’ll say you were just doing your job, but—
“Nope,” my mom shook her head quickly. “You’re right,” she said, completely backpedaling. “That wine sounds like a good idea. I’ll have to change though,” she added. “I should wear something fancier so I don’t look out of place.”
Jace and I turned to each other, with identical surprised looks. Him—because he lost. Me—because I didn’t expect my mom to fold so easily. 
A bottle of aged wine was all it took? 
“You look fantastic already,” Chris told her. She laughed at his compliment, waved her hand and walked into the house, inviting us in. I rushed in after Chris, as I completely forgot the bet I made with Jace, following my mom to her room. 
“Really?” I whispered, closing the door behind me. “You sold out for a bottle of wine?”
“Champagne,” she corrected me.
“Huh?”
She turned, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “He said it was champagne. But he didn’t want you guys to feel bad, so we had to put on the act for a little longer.”
Wow. 
I am absolutely flabbergasted. I shook my head slowly. “I thought you’d be more…” I bite my lip, trying to find the right word. “Worried? I didn’t tell you they were coming. And Christopher, he owns like a skyscraper and a bunch of other companies. He’s probably close to being a billionaire,” I mumbled, staring at the floor. 
“Worried?” She laughed softly, walking over. She tilted my chin, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. “Why would I be? You wouldn’t bring two strangers over to my house if you didn’t trust them. And I saw the way that boy looked at you.”
My mom winked. “He’s the one, isn’t he? Do you like him? How long have you guys been dating? Do you plan on going to the same college? What does he like? Because if he’s going to be coming over more often—”
“Mom,” I groaned, plastering my hands to my face. “We’re not getting married.”
“But it is serious, isn’t it?” She teased. “You were holding his hands. You’ve never held hands with anyone else, except that boy in elementary school who stole your first kiss.” 
She clicked her tongue, before her lips thinned into a disapproving line. “You cried for a week straight when you found out he was giving some other girl flowers.”
Me? 
I placed a hand to my chest, arching a brow. “I did that? I don’t remember.”
“Good,” she nodded. “Because it took everything in me not to march over to his parents house and demand an apology.”
I burst out laughing, the sound bubbling up so suddenly it startled both of us. She joined in for a second, her eyes sparkling with warmth, but the laughter died on my lips as an uncomfortable truth settled in. 
I couldn’t keep the truth from her. If she supported my relationship with Jace, then I had to tell her everything. 
My stomach twisted as I thought about it and I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, twisting the fabric between my fingers, unable to meet her eyes.
“Mom… I want to tell you something,” I said quietly.
She tilted her head, waiting. The silence stretched just long enough for me to shift my weight from one foot to the other.
“It’s about the woman at the cemetery the other time,” I finally managed.
Her expression softened, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “His mother, isn’t she?”
I nodded, the motion small and tight. Of course she knew. I couldn’t hide anything from her. My throat felt thick. “If you’re worried about any of this…about her…I’ll stop seeing him. I don’t want to cause problems for you.”
“Grace?”
I lifted my head slowly. 
She studied me for a long moment, then reached out and cupped my cheek. “Why would you do that? He makes you happy, doesn’t he?” Her thumb brushed gently across my skin. “Let me handle his mother. I’m your mother too, after all.”
The simple certainty in her voice made my eyes sting. I swallowed hard and pulled her into a quick hug. “Thank you.”
She made a soft, dismissive sound. “Why would you thank me? I’m only doing my job as your mom. Now, shoo—” she shoved me to the door. “I have to get changed. It’s the one time I get to go out. I need to find my Sunday best.”

We headed back to the living room later, where Christopher’s booming laugh already filled the space and Jace was leaning against the wall, looking far too pleased with himself.
You look absolutely stunning, Mrs. Thompson.” Chris rose from his seat and offered her his arm with an easy, gallant smile. I shook my head and stepped aside, feeling like the third wheel. 
“So,” Jace cleared his throat beside me, lowering his voice. “Heads up. My grandfather might try to matchmake your mom. He has a friend—younger—who lost his wife too. Handsome, wealthy, and they’ve been business partners for years.”
“Matchmake?” I echoed. 
“Unfortunately,” Jace sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “He can’t stand seeing people he cares about struggling alone. He thinks your mom deserves someone to take care of her, so he’s probably going to set them up.”
I stared ahead at the two of them as my stomach flipped over. 
“Don’t worry,” Jace said quickly, noticing my expression. “I’ll tell him to back off. You don’t need a replacement for your dad, and he shouldn’t overstep.”
I hesitated, then shook my head. “No…don’t. If my mom agrees, then I’m fine with it.”
Jace studied me carefully. “Sure?”
I met his eyes and managed a small smile, even as my chest felt tight. “Yeah. I’m sure.” I shoved him back playfully to lighten the moment. “She deserves to be happy.”
I still had to wrap my head around the thought of getting a step father. 
But at least I wouldn’t have to lie awake anymore worrying about her working herself sick, ending up in the hospital again. 
It was a win-win situation all around, because as long as my mom was happy, I was happy.