Right Kind of Wrong(44)

She gives Jenna a wry smile. “I’m sure it is, darling. Sorry about all that,” she says, making her way down the porch steps. “I have no doubt Jack’s gonna have some choice words for me later.”

She looks good. Healthy. Not too skinny. Not too tired. Her dark brown hair falls in thick waves to the middle of her back and her green eyes—identical in color with Samson’s—are clear and bright.

“And please,” Mom adds, “call me Lilly.” Jenna’s arms stick out awkwardly in surprise as my mom wraps her in a hug. “I’m so happy to meet you, Jenna. It’s so refreshing to meet a girl with a name that doesn’t sound like it belongs to a stripper.”

I pinch my lips. “Really, Mom?”

“What?” she says innocently, releasing Jenna from her arms. She places a cool hand on my cheek. “You sad I didn’t hug you first?”

I exhale in frustration. “This, among other reasons, is why I don’t bring girls home.”

She pats my cheek with a grin. “Oh, please. You don’t bring girls home for an entirely different reason.” Her eyes slide to Jenna then back to me with a wink.

“Mom…” I warn.

She gives me a knowing smile then drops her teasing tone. “Welcome home, baby.” She kisses my cheek and, with a quiver in her voice, she whispers, “I’m so glad you’re here, Jack. I’ve missed you.”

I kiss her back. “I’ve missed you too.”

Stepping back, she clears her throat and merrily waves us in. “Come on inside, you two. I want to hear how your trip was.”

“Actually,” Jenna takes a step back and purposely avoids my eyes. “I think I’m going to head out.”

The idea of Jenna leaving before I’ve had a chance to explain, or at least properly apologize, for the intense night she’s been through puts me on edge.

“Don’t you think you should hang around for a bit?” I say. “So we can, you know… talk?” I say that last word through my teeth and narrow my gaze on her.

Her eyes flit from side to side, looking at my mother, looking at Samson. “Oh, no. You and I can talk anytime.” She shoots me an I-want-to-get-the-hell-out-of-here look. “I should really be on my way. You know, before it gets any later.”

Yeah, that’s not going to work for me. I can’t let Jenna bail on me. Not yet, anyway. I need to make sure she’s really okay. More importantly, I need to know if what she saw tonight changed the way she sees me. I put her in a situation where we were held at gunpoint for Christ’s sake. I’m sure she has questions, or at the very least, concerns.

“Nonsense,” I say with a forced smile. “You should stay here tonight. Right, Mom?” I look pointedly at my mother.

“Of course!” Lilly Oliver smiles broadly, obviously thrilled at the prospect of a girl staying in her house. “I would love to have you stay.”

Jenna glowers at me before shaking her head with a tight smile. “I really should get home. My mom is probably waiting up and everything.” She shakes her phone in an aw-shucks kind of way.

“Great idea,” I say, a new, brilliant, foolproof master plan blossoming in my mind. “Let’s call your mom.”

Her sugar-sweet act drops. “I don’t think that’s necessary, Jack.”

“Really? Because I think your mom might have some valuable insight into whether or not you should drive home this late.”

She glances at her screen. “Look at that. My battery’s almost dead.” Dramatic sigh. “I guess I’ll have to call her after I charge it in the car.”

“No worries,” I say. “I have your mom’s number in my phone, so I’ll just…” Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dial the number and hold it to my ear with a triumphant smile.

Her eyes widen. “How do you have my mom’s number?”

“From the last time your grandma was dying, remember? You called me from New Orleans to bitch about your cousin stealing your tattoo idea. Hello, Sherry?” I smile and look away. “Yeah, this is Jack Oliver. I’m…” Jenna glares at me while her mother coos over the phone. “Yep, I’m that Jack.” I wink at Jenna, who’s obviously told her mother more about me than she wants me to know. “So I’m here in Little Vail with Jenna and since it’s getting pretty late, I suggested Jenna stay at my mom’s house with me. But Jenna’s afraid that you might be disappointed since you’re waiting up for her and all… uh-huh… uh-huh… I know. I said the exact same thing. And we both know how stubborn she is about wearing her glasses at night…” Jenna sneers at me and my grin grows. “Right… uh-huh… so what do you think? I certainly don’t want to take away from precious time with your daughter, but I also want what’s best for her safety… uh-huh… I couldn’t agree more… Sure. Here she is.” I hold the phone out to Jenna.