"Hey."Bella's voice turns fierce."Look at me, Alisha McQueen."
I meet her eyes through the screen.
"You're not some tea-sipping, wool-knitting, greyish girl.You're vibrant, you're colorful, and you're beautiful.If his mother can't appreciate that, it's her loss."
Warmth spreads through my chest.This is why I love her—she always knows exactly what to say."Thanks, Bells."I blow her an air kiss."Love you."
"Love you too.Now go knock her fancy socks off."
After hanging up, I slip into the outfit Bella suggested.The dress hugs my curves without being scandalous, and the red jacket adds that pop of boldness I need to feel like myself.I slide my feet into my statement-making red pumps—four inches of pure confidence—and pull my hair into a sleek high ponytail.
The woman in the mirror looks polished but powerful.Perfect.One swipe of my fire brigade lipstick, and I'm ready for battle.
Time to meet Mrs.Walker.
* * *
Cole
"Doyou think she will eat these?"Samantha rearranges the cupcakes for the twelfth time, her fingers trembling slightly."What should I call her?"
I press a kiss to the top of her head, trying to ease her obvious anxiety."Relax, Sam.She isn't an actual dragon."Though she can breathe fire when she wants to.
A sharp knock echoes through the apartment.Sam's eyes go wide as she mumbles, "I'll reorganize them again."
I cross to the door in long strides, and the moment I open it, my brain short-circuits.Those legs.That dress.Those lips.Without thinking, I step outside and pull the door shut behind me.
Alisha's perfectly shaped eyebrow arches."Uh, what are you doing?We're supposed to go inside, Walker."
"Yeah, but first..."I pull her against me, letting her feel exactly what that outfit is doing to me.
Her radiant smile breaks through when she feels my obvious reaction pressing against her abdomen."Oh, your boy needs to cool off."Her hand brushes over my length, and I barely suppress a groan.
"Fuck."I capture those red lips in a hard kiss, desperate to taste her.Just as I'm about to suggest we forget this whole meeting and spend the day in bed instead, someone clears their throat behind us.
Shit.
Alisha spins around as I reluctantly lift my head.There stands my mother, arms crossed, lips pressed into that familiar disapproving line.
"Cole!"Her voice could freeze hell."What kind of example are you setting for your daughter by behaving like some horny teenager?"
"Hey Mom, on time as always."I keep my voice deliberately casual, hands still possessively on Alisha's hips.No way am I letting my mother's disapproval affect us.
"Alisha, meet my mother, Carmen Walker."My thumb traces circles on Alisha's hip, steadying us both."And Mom, this is Alisha McQueen.The woman I told you about."
Alisha steps forward, radiating confidence despite my mother's icy reception."It's lovely to meet you, Mrs.Walker."
My mother's eyes rake over Alisha's outfit like she's cataloging every perceived flaw.The slight twitch of her lips speaks volumes.After what feels like an eternity, she lets out a pointed cough.
"Why don't we go in?I'm here to meet my granddaughter."
I catch Alisha's hand, squeezing gently.When she turns to me, her smile doesn't quite reach those beautiful green eyes.Damn it, Mother.
The moment we're inside, my mom scans the living room like she's conducting a military inspection.I take her jacket, fighting the urge to roll my eyes as she straightens her already perfect outfit.
"So, where is she?"
"Easy, mother."I keep my voice neutral, but there's steel underneath."Samantha is waiting in the kitchen, and I had to convince her you aren't a mean dragon that will eat her alive.So behave."
