"I'm falling in love with you too."
The brilliant smile that covered his face made me giggle.
"Please don't leave. I don't want your first meeting with my mother to be like that."
"What would we say if I came back?"
Right then my phone went off. It was Max. Nic frowned.
"Emergency at the bakery. Looks like I really do need to leave."
He nodded. Then holding up his finger, he said, "Wait, don't move. I'll be right back."
I watched as he raced back to his condo. A minute later he and his mother walked out of the condo and headed my direction. I couldn't shake the feeling I had when his mother stared at me like a bug that needed to be stepped on.
"I told my mom about your emergency at the bakery. She wants to come along."
My eyes widened in horror. "W-what? To the-the bakery?"
Katerina smiled big. "You're a baker? I love to bake. And cook."
Oh. Shit.
"Me too," I said before I realized how it sounded more like a challenge than a simple response.
She nodded. "So, let's go see this place of yours. I can hardly contain my excitement. First to learn my eldest son is dating, and then to find out she owns her own Italian bakery."
The way she stressed Italian couldn't be a good thing. And by the look on her face I would say she was far from excited.
When we stepped onto the elevator, she glanced over to me. "Are you recovered from your . . . choking . . . incident?"
With a wide smile, I nodded my head and tapped my hand on Nic's chest. "Oh, yes. Nic saved me. I'm sorry we had made such a mess. Things got a little, crazy."
Nic attempted to hold back a laugh.
Katerina simply smiled. As we stepped out of the elevator, she walked next to Nic and went on and on about a baby shower. I took out my phone and sent Kilyn a text.
Me: 911! Katerina showed up at Nic's right after we had sex!
She's with us now. Going to the bakery for an emergency!
She responded back within seconds.
Kilyn: This is a CODE RED. I repeat! CODE RED! You've had the forced meeting. That is NEVER good. Take deep breaths and whatever you do . . . don't tell her you own the bakery.
Oh no.
Me: Too late.
Kilyn: Oh . . . no. Okay. Be prepared. She is going to insult you in ways where she is acting like she isn't insulting you. Be ready. Smile. Don't let her know she's getting to you.
I cringed on the inside. Glancing up, I noticed Katerina stood at the passenger side door. She was giving me an exasperated look, and I winced, wondering how long she had been waiting for me to walk up. Then I noticed she was standing at the front passenger side door, making me go to the backseat.
With a smile, I slid into the backseat and started back up with my texting.
Me: She's making me sit in the backseat! WTF
Kilyn: That doesn't surprise me. You are a bug she needs to crush. Okay, next, be ready for the challenge.
Me: Challenge?
Kilyn: Yes. She needs to prove you unworthy of her son and her above you, what better way to do it than challenge you in some way.
My heart was racing.
Me: OMG. What kind of challenge?
Kilyn: That's the tricky part. She'll throw it on you when you're least expecting it. Don't let her see your weakness!
"Who are you texting?" Nic asked as I jumped and let out a yelp.
"Oh, um, Max."
More lies.
"Nervous little thing, isn't she?" Katerina said.
I swallowed hard as I glanced up at Nic. What in the world am I about to get myself into?
He glanced up in the mirror and winked. Then he mouthed, I'm sorry, and all my fears melted away.
"So, my oldest son has decided to go against his parents' wishes."
Don't. Show. Fear.
"Mama," Nic warned.
"An Italian," she huffed under her breath.
I'm so screwed.
Me: She's going to eat me up and spit me out! Why does she not like Italians?
Kilyn: No she is not! Okay that's a lie. She probably is. Um, I think Thad dated one once and things didn't turn out well. Listen! You walk into that bakery and you own that bitch! Well wait, you do own it. You stand proud. And whatever you do, don't look her directly in the eye. She has a direct path to your soul!
Me: God help me.
Kilyn: You're gonna need more than just him.
MY NERVES WERE rattled as I walked into the back hallway of the bakery. Katerina's eyes were everywhere, taking it all in.
"Excuse me, I need to find Max. You're more than welcome to hang out in my office or in the bakery."
Katerina forced a smile and nodded. Turning to Nic, I gave him a weak grin and headed to find out what was going on. Please don't let it be anything bad.