“You gonna tell me what’s wrong, or are you just hoping I’ll figure it out?” Naomi Johnston stood with one hand on her hip.
Mitch grunted as he dried the final dish. Either he was really bad at hiding his feelings or his mother had a sixth sense.
Probably a little of both.
“It’s nothing, Mama.”
“Does this nothing have anything to do with Monique calling me with that phony sick voice to say she couldn’t make dinner?” His mother, still gorgeous and far more intimidating than her petite height suggested, raised a brow.
Mitch looked past his mother, hoping Ray and the rest of the guests hadn’t heard her. They were gathered in the family room watching his brother Nate’s team clobber their division rivals in the final game of the regular pro football season.
“Can you keep it down?” he whispered.
Her dark eyes twinkled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“How about we take it as an ‘I don’t want to talk about it’?” His voice was firm, but respectful.
He and his six siblings were all grown, but none of them believed Mama Bear Johnston was above breaking off a switch if they got too fly at the mouth.
“How about I talk and you listen?” she continued, her voice lowered. “When are you two finally going to tell Ray you want to be together?”
“Never.” Pain stabbed his chest. Less than twelve hours ago, he’d believed he could finally have a life with Monique.
She sighed, her tone softening and the skin around her eyes crinkling. “Ray loves you both. It may take time for him to get used to the idea, but in the end, he’ll be thrilled.”
“It’s not gonna happen, Mama. Besides, she’s here in Pleasure Cove. I’ll be back in Atlanta in a few days.”
“Maybe.” She rummaged in a drawer and produced a job listing. “Saw this online.”
He quickly reviewed it. A new resort was opening in Pleasure Cove and they were looking for marketing executives familiar with the area.
The position seemed tailor-made for him. A few hours ago, he would’ve gone for it, but now…all he wanted was to return to Atlanta and forget about the past two days.
“I’ll think about it.” He forced a smile, folding the paper and shoving it into his back pocket.
“Now, about Monique—”
“Mom, please. I don’t want to lie to you, but I can’t talk about this.” His soft plea garnered a look of pity from his mother.
“All right, baby.” Naomi pulled him into a hug that temporarily alleviated the crushing weight on his chest, allowing him to breathe.
They rejoined their family and friends and Mitch did his best to pretend his heart wasn’t shattered.