“That’s an understatement,” Sara deadpans and sits down across from us, scooting all the way to the wall. “Good for Rob’s wife one day. I promised myself I wouldn’t fight him on anyone he brought home. If she loves him, that’s enough for me.” She beams a smile over to me and I unconsciously press my back against the booth. I thought things between Rob and I were going warp speed, this woman has me at the altar, probably in her dress.

“Mom.”

“Sorry, honey.” She pretends to zip her lips and throw away the key. “I have to remind myself baby steps.” She places her elbows on the table and rests her chin on her hands, peering over to me.

Her admiring eyes bring the self-conscious side out from me because this woman is viewing me like I’m the saving grace for her son. Although, he’s opened a sliver up to me, I know there’s a long way to go before I ever have a chance of saving him.

“So, Mom.” Rob distracts her from staring at me while his hand slides under the table landing on my thigh. It’s comforting to know he’s trying to ease this awkward situation. “Why are you here?”

Her eyes flash to his and then she sits back in her seat. “Um . . . let’s have lunch and then I’ll come over to your place.” She’s hiding something and Rob doesn’t miss it.

“No, let’s talk here.”

She eyes me again and then begins to have that silent chat with Rob across the table. He squeezes my knee and I reach down, wrapping my own hand with his.

“Go ahead, Mom.”

She hems and haws before her eyes glance to the back of the restaurant again. “I came up to talk to the Dean of Business.”

“Why?” Rob doesn’t get angry for her interference. Instead his vision casts to his mom for answers.

“You know Dean Henders is a good friend of mine. I’m an alumnus of Western.” She fills me in with a proud smile. “Ashton and I were in the same dorm our sophomore year.” She stares out of the window for a moment and I can’t help but assume she’s thinking about times gone by.

The waiter comes by and I hadn’t skimmed the menu, but I can ramble my usual order. Obviously, Sara’s familiar with the restaurant because she hands the young waiter her menu and rattles off what only regulars usually get. Even down to what she doesn’t want. “The Cuban. Heavy on the Dijon, no dill pickles. And of course a chocolate shake.” She smiles and then casts her sight back on me.

I order a turkey club with their signature ranch spread, I add a strawberry shake. Rob hands his menu to the guy and only says usual.

“Usual?” I question and the waiter smiles, slipping away.

“I may come here way too often.” He smirks, tightening his hold on my leg. God, his touch has me scooting closer to him.

“I’ve only ever been here a few times.” I admire the painted pink unicorns and light blue stars on the ceiling.

“So, your visit with Dean Henders was personal?” Rob asks the question that swam in my brain, but wouldn’t dare ask.

“Sort of.” Her shoulders rise and fall. Rob stiffens next to me.

“What does that mean?”

They stare long and hard at one another and my eyes ping back and forth like I’m in the middle of a standoff, waiting for someone to draw their gun.

“You know I want you to enroll back in school?”

“I told you on my terms. I haven’t decided yet.”

“Rob.”

“I know, Mom. Just give me more time.”

The back and forth finally disperses and Rob excuses himself from the table.

“I’ll be back.” I watch him disappear down the hallway under the restroom sign. A knot forms in my stomach as I slowly circle back to his mom.

Could this be more awkward? I think not.

“So, Paige. Are you Rob’s girlfriend?”

Man, she doesn’t beat around the bush.

“Just his roommate . . . and friend.”

“Hmm . . . usually friends don’t hold hands under the table.” She smiles. At least she isn’t upset. “It’s okay.” She glances back to the hallway and then inches across the table. “You seem nice and Rob needs nice in his life.”

I stare at her in disbelief because how do I reveal I’ve been sleeping with her son for weeks now, but have no idea what we actually are.

“You’re nervous.” She waves her hand. “Don’t be. Listen, did he tell you about Carly?” She whispers it and I wonder what she’d do if I said no.

“Yes.”

She leans back in the booth, her hand over her heart. “Good,” her voice relieved. “He’s letting you in. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

I smile again, unsure how exactly to react to her.

“It’s torn Rob apart. So many problems, so much strife, so much heartbreak. It’s torn me apart all of these years, watching the boy I raised be so unhappy and blaming himself for Carly’s—” She abruptly stops and when she glances to the back again, I figure Rob’s on his way back. “Anyway dear, if he’s trusted you with Carly, then you’re in. Stick with him even if he tries to drive you away.” She pats my hand on the table and then unravels her silverware, placing her napkin on her lap as though we were talking about the weather.

Rob slides in next to me, mimicking his mom in the napkin unrolling silverware. “She didn’t pester you too much, did she?” He eyes me and I shake my head.

“No, not at all.” I give a tight smile and it seems to appease him.

“Good, she can be ruthless sometimes.”

She laughs across the table. “Not true, Rob.”

“So true, Mother.”

Their relationship brings a tinge of jealousy that my mom wouldn’t give a second thought about someone helping me with my problems. She would have jumped into Rob’s lap, licked his neck and grabbed his crotch.

ROB ESCORTS HIS mom to her car and they quietly talk to one another. I can only assume it’s either about me, or him returning to school. I wish I knew what was holding him back. He’s an intelligent guy and with money not being a problem, I’m baffled. My heart becomes more invested in him watching the way he cares for his mom. He opens her door and holds her close to him. Not the short and patting type of back hugs you normally witness between a guy and his mom. Theirs is caring and heartfelt. It’s a side of Rob many don’t get blessed with seeing. After she releases her son, she finds me on the sidewalk and waves her hand before climbing into her car.

Rob waits for his mom’s taillights to fade and then he steps up on the curb and quickly rushes over to me. He swoops his arms around my waist and lifts my feet off the ground. There’s always an element of surprise every minute with Rob and I don’t yearn for anything different. I may never know which Rob is about to emerge, but I draw safety in the fact he’s never the asshole everyone raves about. At least not with me. “I want you,” he whispers in my ear and a hot jolt runs through my veins.

“Chrissy’s done with classes. She’ll be home in an hour after the gym.” My shoulders slump from the disappointment that there isn’t enough time for him to cherish me like I need him to.

“All I have to do is sneak you into my room. As long as you can keep those beautiful lips shut, we’re golden.” He grabs my hand and practically drags me to the car as though we have an invisible clock above our heads clicking down.

“I’m coming, jeez, you’re going to rip my arm off,” I joke and my footsteps quicken to meet his. Not that I don’t love how eager he is to have me.

He skids to a stop at his car, opening the passenger door for me. “Let’s go.” His arm waves into the car, and I purposely stop, pretending to investigate my nails.

“Did I tell you that I broke my nail today?” My stance falls lazy as I concentrate on my fingers.

“Paige,” he warns and I purse my lips to keep from smiling. He’s way too easy to play with.