Wicked Flirt Read online

  “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 by 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’ve got a proposition for you.”

  Her eyes widened. “Uh, thanks, but—”

  “I’ll hire you to do an event for my bar. You could do Fat Tuesday for Mardi Gras and, in return, you show up with me a few times at my mom’s place.”

  She stared at him. “I’d love to do an event, but you, uh, really want me to meet your mom? We barely know each other.”

  “I think your experience with your aunt could help her. But I know you’ll need to get on her good side, which is why…we’d pretend you were my serious girlfriend. Just for a while. Maybe eight weeks.” He pressed his lips tightly together. “I really hope she’s doing better by then.”

  Lexi remained quiet, so he barreled on. “It’s been tough dealing with it long distance. I’m in the city; she’s here in Eastman. Anyway, she needs me to do the grocery shopping. We could do a quick grocery run, drop them off, I’ll introduce you as my girlfriend, and then I’ll tell her we have Valentine’s Day plans and need to go.”

  She studied him. He waited impatiently. Now that he had a glimmer of hope, he wanted to act on it right now. He knew this first visit would be too soon to mention Lexi’s aunt. His mom had to be eased into it, which meant they needed to get the ball rolling now with an introduction.

  “Okay,” she finally said, her lips set in a grim line. “I could really use the work. I lost my job a few days ago, and it’s tough to get a freelance business started.” She held up a finger. “But there has to be rules. Let’s make it six weeks and no funny business.”

  The tension drained from him, making him feel lighter and downright cheerful. He walked ahead of Lexi and held the outside door open for her. “No problem. I’m not very funny.”

  She brushed past him, and he caught her citrusy scent. “Sex is off the table.”

  He grinned and followed her out the door. “Like you’re my type.”

  She glared at him and he laughed, dropping a hand on her head and mussing her hair, completely screwing up her updo. He had a “little sister,” Mad, and knew just how to make her crazy. Women hated when you messed up their hair.

  He smirked, watching Lexi attempt to salvage her hairstyle. “You’ll be like Mad, my honorary little sister, trailing me around and looking up at me adoringly.”

  She gave up on her former hairstyle and pulled the pins from her shoulder-length hair, shaking it out. It settled in place like silk. He stopped smirking and quickly strode ahead of her through the parking lot, opening the passenger-side door of his red Audi.

  She got into his car and looked up at him. “You treat your little sister nice,” she teased.

  He gave her a small smile. “Joe Campbell’s influence. He taught me to treat women like I’d want someone to treat my little sister, with care and respect.”

  “Then I should thank Joe. What a guy!”

  He inclined his head before shutting the door. This would be easy—a pretend girlfriend to make his mom feel better without any of the headache and work of keeping a woman happy. A mutually agreeable deal that solved both of their problems. What could go wrong?

  Chapter Two

  Marcus made quick work of the grocery shopping. His mom had texted him a list. Lexi took one look at it and efficiently scoured the produce section, saving him loads of time. He hadn’t introduced a woman to his mom since his ex-wife, but these were desperate times. He was her only kid, and his dad had died when Marcus was seven, shortly after being arrested on drug charges. In exchange for a more lenient jail sentence, his dad had snitched on the drug kingpin he worked for. He’d been killed while out on bail, awaiting his trial. Marcus’s mom had said all his dad had wanted was to get back home to them. To Marcus’s young ears, it sounded like if it weren’t for him, his dad would’ve lived. A heavy load for a seven-year-old.

  He’d witnessed his mom’s crying many nights after that and resolved that he had to take care of her. They were more like friends than parent and kid since she’d practically been a kid when she had him, only eighteen. Growing up, it seemed his mom was doing better, until he’d witnessed her first panic attack when he was thirteen. He’d thought she was going to die, her heart racing, her breathing shallow. He’d called an ambulance and got her to the ER. Later, he found out she’d been having panic attacks for years. No matter how much he’d tried to take care of her, his love hadn’t been enough.

  And now she was worse with the agoraphobia. Maybe his love would never be enough for his mom. Maybe what he needed was to bring in backup. In this case, Lexi. He couldn’t believe his luck in finding someone who understood his mom’s condition and actually knew what to do. Lexi might be a prickly man-hater, but she was great with women. Just look at all her close friends and how she’d helped her aunt get better. And, if he was being honest, she’d become a lot less prickly after he’d told her the deal with his mom.

  He met up with Lexi at the register and paid for everything.

  “Anything else I should know about your mom?” she asked once they were in the car.

  “Her name is Lia. She used to be a secretary. She’s sweet. Soft-spoken, gentle.”

  “Okay, so kinda like Sabrina.” Their mutual friend Sabrina was a relationship counselor.

  “My mom’s not as good with all the feelings stuff as Sabrina, but, yeah, sweet like that.”

  They drove for a few minutes in silence, his mind on his mom. It alarmed him to see her just sitting on the sofa day after day. She did crossword puzzles, watched TV, some reading, but she had no connection to the outside world. Even her friends from her old job had given up on her, and she’d been there for twenty years. Now it was up to him. As long as he didn’t push her, she seemed fine. But the minute he brought up talking to a professional or even just taking a walk with him, she got nervous, her hands fluttering in the air, stepping closer to her bedroom, her sanctuary.

  He pulled into the driveway of the ranch home he’d bought her a few years back. It was the first house she’d ever lived in—after years of apartment living—and she loved it. She had a vegetable garden out back. Maybe when the weather warmed up, she’d venture to the backyard for some gardening.

  He popped the trunk, gathered the grocery bags, and headed to the front door. Lexi followed and stood next to him on the small concrete porch, looking a little nervous.

  “Just play it cool,” he told her. “Follow my lead.” He pressed the doorbell and waited. He’d texted his mom at the supermarket, telling her he was on his way, so she knew it was him.

  He heard the slide of the chain lock, the deadbolt, and then his mom slowly opened the door. She was petite, a little shorter than Lexi, and wearing her green fleece robe over pajamas. It was a little after nine at night, but that wasn’t why she was in a robe and pajamas. She never bothered getting dressed anymore, like that took away the possibility of leaving the house. She did a double take when she saw Lexi, her brown eyes huge with surprise.

  “Mom, I brought Lexi since we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day together.”

  “Hi!” Lexi said brightly. “Nice to meet you.”

  His mom smoothed her dark brown jaw-length hair and gathered her robe tighter around her. “Hi,” she said softly before shooting him a dark look. “You didn’t mention you were bringing company. I haven’t prepared.”

  He lifted all the bags in both hands. “I brought everything you need. We won’t be staying long. We have
to get back to our Valentine’s Day.”

  His mom backed up, letting them in. “Of course. Thank you for taking the time to pick up my groceries. You said you’d be in town, so…” She pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry for interrupting your special night.”

  He headed to the kitchen, both women trailing him. “It’s fine. I wanted you to meet Lexi anyway.” He set the bags down on the counter. “Lexi, this is the amazing Lia Shepard, queen of the paella.” His mom had been born here, but her family was originally from Spain.

  His mom blushed. “Marcus!” She turned to Lexi. “He exaggerates. He’ll eat anything.”

  “I love paella,” Lexi said, taking off her coat.

  “That’s a beautiful dress,” his mom said. “I’m so embarrassed you caught me in my robe.”

  “No big,” Lexi said. “I’m a pretty casual person.”

  “Would you like a drink?” his mom asked Lexi. “I have water or milk.” At least he didn’t have to worry about his mom drinking. She’d always lived clean, even though his dad saw no problem with occasionally sampling the drugs he sold.

  “Water would be nice,” Lexi said, taking a seat at the small round kitchen table, her coat draped across her lap. A white tablecloth hand-embroidered with a colorful chain of flowers covered the table. His mom liked pretty things and was handy at a lot of domestic stuff. She’d always been a homebody, but never to this extreme.

  His mom bustled to the cabinet and then the sink, getting Lexi’s water before joining her at the table.

  He unpacked the bags and started putting the food away, one ear cocked to his mom and Lexi’s conversation.

  “So how did you meet Marcus?” his mom asked.

  Lexi replied in a very convincing voice. “We have a lot of the same friends, so you know how these things go. We met a few times, he was a flirty charmer, and then finally we sorta connected.”

  He smiled to himself. That actually sounded like it could’ve happened. He was a flirty charmer.

  “Have you been dating long?” his mom asked eagerly.

  “How long’s it been, babe?” Lexi asked him.

  Way to pass the buck. “One-month anniversary coming up tomorrow,” he said, not looking at either of them. His mom could read a lie in his eyes. It was a harmless white lie for the greater good. He shouldn’t feel so guilty.

  “Do you live here or in the city?” his mom asked Lexi. “What kind of work do you do? Do you have family nearby?”

  The rush of questions was a good sign. His mom hadn’t shown much interest in anything in a long while. He hoped Lexi didn’t mind. He glanced over at her.

  “I’m a corporate event planner,” Lexi said with a smile. “I live nearby in Clover Park and commute into the city for work. My parents live about forty-five minutes away. My older brother’s an hour away with his wife. Everyone’s still in Connecticut.”

  “That’s so nice,” his mom said enthusiastically.

  He relaxed. This was going even better than he’d hoped.

  Lexi nodded and then got serious. “Marcus told me you lost your job recently. I know how hard that is. I recently lost mine too. Have you had any leads for something new?”

  Marcus stiffened. That was too forward. Shit. He should’ve briefed Lexi on easing into things with his mom. Even he couldn’t get that kind of information out of her. It wasn’t clear if his mom had given up looking for a job or had just faced a lot of rejection. For a while, he’d been emailing her job listings, but she’d stopped checking her email.

  His mom’s voice was high and reedy. “It seems Marcus has shared a lot about me and told me very little about you.”

  He turned, shot Lexi a look that said cool it, and told his mom, “Lexi’s way into me, which means she wanted to know all about my life. You’re a big part of that.”

  His mom frowned, still not happy with his sharing.

  Lexi chimed in. “I did ask him a bunch of questions. Actually, my aunt had a similar issue as you with the agoraphobia and—”

  “Phobia!” His mom’s hand went to her throat. “I don’t have a phobia.”

  Marcus winced.

  “My friend Sabrina is a counselor,” Lexi said, seeming oblivious to his mom’s agitation. “We should bring her by to meet you. Maybe she’d have some tips to help with your current trouble.”

  “What trouble?” his mom asked, turning wide panicky eyes to him. “Marcus?”

  “Not trouble, really,” he said. “I just mentioned you haven’t been going out as much. Maybe Lexi thought having a counselor who made a house visit could be good.”

  “I don’t need counseling,” his mom said, standing abruptly. “I’m fine.” Her hands fluttered in the air and her eyes darted around the room. “I just need to work again. That’s all.” She backed up a step.

  “Mom, it’s okay.”

  “I misunderstood,” Lexi said in a soothing voice.

  “You don’t know me,” his mom told Lexi in a voice that shook with her agitation. “How dare you come here and say all these awful things!” She turned and fled the room, probably going back to her bedroom sanctuary.

  He rubbed his temple.

  Lexi stood. “I’ll go apologize. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll deal with it.”

  “Tell her I’m sorry, okay? I only wanted to help.”

  He nodded once, quickly tucked the food into cabinets and the refrigerator, took a deep breath, and headed for his mom’s room.

  He knocked. No reply. “Mom, it’s me. I wanted to say goodbye.”

  “Come in.”

  He opened the door. She was sitting up against the headboard with the TV on at a low volume. She grabbed the remote and muted it.

  “Close the door behind you,” she said.

  He did and walked over to her side. “Sorry if Lexi crossed the line. She meant well. She feels bad and asked me to apologize for her. I didn’t think you’d want her in here.”

  “I don’t like her. She’s coarse, no sensitivity. You don’t just walk into someone’s home unannounced and then act judgmental, doling out advice. Obviously she doesn’t respect her elders—”

  “Mom, you’re not elderly at all.”

  His mom’s fingers tightened in the blanket. “I am her elder and she treated me disrespectfully. I don’t want you to see her anymore, is that clear? And she’s not welcome in my home.”

  He scrubbed a hand over his face. He definitely should’ve prepped Lexi better. This was supposed to be step one in helping his mom. Now it was blown out of the water. What hope did he have of helping her on his own? She wouldn’t listen to him. He had no idea what to do next.

  His mom grabbed his hand with icy fingers. “Swear you won’t see her anymore.”

  She was in a fragile state and he didn’t want to upset her any further. “I swear.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Text or call if you need anything else.”

  She tucked herself under the covers, pulling them up to her chin. “Thank you, Marcus.”

  He headed out, the burden heavy on his shoulders once again. Just before he went through the doorway, he muttered sarcastically under his breath, “We’re getting married next week.”

  “Over my dead body,” his mom called. The woman had super hearing.

  That went well. Not.

  He found Lexi standing in the living room, her coat already on. He inclined his head toward the door. “Let’s go.”

  The moment they were outside, Lexi asked, “Did you tell her I was sorry? Is she still mad at me?”

  He couldn’t tell her she was banished from his mom’s house and his life forever, so he hedged a bit. “She’s just really sensitive.”

  “I feel terrible.”

  “Sorry I brought you into this.” Failure was not an option, but he was running out of options. He opened the car door for her and shut it behind her.

  Once they were back on the street, Lexi said, “You really should get Sabrina over here. She could get her st
arted with some individual counseling. I’m sure she’d be willing to make a house call. And then, at some point, your mom could see a professional in an office.”

  He clenched his jaw. “Don’t you get it? She hated that idea. Didn’t you notice how worked up she got at the suggestion?”

  “Has she met Sabrina?”

  “No.”

  “So she has no idea how easy it is to talk to her. Don’t you find just being near Sabrina is relaxing? She’s always so calm and composed, her voice nice and even. A steady sort.”

  He shook his head. “She’s not ready. If I push too hard, it’s only going to make it worse.”

  She was quiet for a moment.

  He gripped the steering wheel. “Look, it’s not your problem.”

  “But I want to help. Agoraphobia is so limiting. What about a therapy dog? Hailey might be able to get one through the trainer she used for Rose.”

  He stopped at a red light and turned to her. “That might actually be a good idea. She’d be focused on taking care of the dog. Maybe she’d even start taking it for walks.”

  “Yeah, and she has a fenced-in yard, so it wouldn’t be high pressure. She could let it run around the yard until she was ready to venture a little farther.”

  He smiled, really pleased with this new idea. He’d been so stuck on how to fix the situation. Lexi had screwed up, but her heart was in the right place. “Ya know, I swore to my mom I’d stop seeing you, but you’re not so bad.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Oh my God, she made you swear? She must really hate me. Marcus, I have to go back there and fix this.”

  “No, you don’t. You gave me a workable solution. That’s all I need.”

  She wrung her hands together. “I feel awful.”

  The light turned green and he hit the accelerator. “You’re off the hook. I’ll tell her we broke up next time I see her.”

  “What a disaster,” Lexi muttered. “Major fake-girlfriend fail.”

  “I’ll say.”

  “Thanks.”

  He shook his head at how badly it had gone down.

  She twirled a lock of her hair. “How come your mom doesn’t have anyone? Your dad’s not around? No family? No friends?”