His to Take (Wicked Lovers #9)(139)
Author: Shayla Black

“I did everything I could to prevent their marriage and help her financially. But if you’ve been married to my mother for more than five minutes, you know that sometimes she can be downright stubborn.”

With a hint of a smile curling his lips, Caleb stepped back and let him into the cool interior of the homey place. “That I can’t argue with. Carlotta definitely has her own ideas. She just came off a shift at the hospital. I’ll see if she’s up to talking.”

That took Joaquin aback. “She’s working again?”

Caleb nodded. “Her choice. I’d be happier to have her all to myself, but this is good for her self-confidence. She’s made new friends and gained back a lot of her self-respect. I’m worried she works too hard, and I don’t like that she sometimes works nights, but I’d never take it away from her.”

It hadn’t taken his new stepfather long to understand his mother and give her what she needed. He supported her, putting his own worries aside so she could be fulfilled. Joaquin hung his head. That’s exactly what he should have done for Bailey.

“Then I’m sure you’ve been good for her and I appreciate what you’ve done. I know I haven’t kept up my responsibilities as a son.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “I’m . . . um, hoping to turn over a new leaf.”

“Have a seat.” Caleb pointed to the beige sectional.

Joaquin saw his mother everywhere in this room. The dark hardwood floors gleamed. The area rug in cream and taupe had a pattern with some soft lines, yet the room didn’t seem too feminine. Flowers sat in a crystal bowl on the coffee table. Accents in earth tones blended with shiny, somehow more modern crystal. He saw the old and new mixed here, warmth and cool sophistication coexisting.

“Thanks.” He sank down to the sofa, perched on the edge, elbows on his knees. Shit, he really was nervous.

“I’ll find Carlotta for you.”

“Wait.” He called Caleb back. “Tell me . . . She’s happy now, right?”

“Finally. Your sisters and I are close. We share a lot of family occasions. There’s never a frown during holidays or gatherings.”

Joaquin smiled, swallowing down the ugly realization that he’d missed so much while he’d been busy avoiding and wallowing. “Good. That’s what her life should be like.”

“Yep,” Caleb agreed. “But I know she’d feel complete if she had all her kids here more often.”

She wasn’t the only one who would probably feel more complete, but Joaquin couldn’t make himself say that to Caleb. This conversation was already awkward enough, and some stuff he had to say to Mamá alone.

Instead, he nodded.

Caleb departed, and Joaquin resisted the urge to fidget or pace. Was this gesture too little too late?

The wait seemed forever before he heard the rustle of clothing at the edge of the room. Her perfume—that something spicy and floral he’d always equated with her—hit his senses first. He rose, turning. There stood his mother in pink scrubs. He hadn’t laid eyes on her in damn near three years. She looked exactly the same, yet totally different. Yes, she’d dropped a few pounds, probably trying to keep up with her very fit husband. And her hair was a little longer, which suited her. More than anything, she looked different because she glowed with a happiness he didn’t ever remember seeing on her face.

Her radiance totally belied the frown she wore now. “Joaquin, why are you here?”

That wasn’t the greeting he’d expected from his mother. Then again, why should he have expected open arms after the way he’d turned his back on her and the family?

“Because I . . . realize I’ve been a shit and I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Her expression turned considering. “Apology accepted. I thank you for delivering your words in person.”

“Here.” He extended the flowers to her, feeling so damn uncomfortable. “These are for you.”

She took the flowers in hand, the plastic crinkling. Her dark eyes lit up for a moment, then she blinked and the light was gone. “They are lovely. Thank you.”

Joaquin watched his mother walk out of the room. Frowning, he hesitated. Follow? Don’t follow? Was she too pissed at him to say more?

Finally, he decided to see where she’d gone. When he trailed behind her and rounded the corner, he found himself in a large kitchen with white cabinets and light marble counters. Chrome fixtures blended well with the soft gray subway tiles and gleaming stainless appliances. The ranch house was far too old to have a kitchen this new and stylish without her hand.