Red Lily

along okay. But I never . . . it’s so surreal to be good friends with the mother of a man I’m . . . romantically intimate with.”
    “I’d think, all in all, that would be a bonus.”
    “It’s not that it isn’t. I suppose it would be less surreal if I’d gotten to know you, gotten to be friends with you after things became—”
    “Romantically intimate.”
    “Yeah. I don’t know how to talk to you about it, exactly, because the relationships are all tangled together. But I wanted to say, to tell you, that you raised an amazing individual. I know I did that, but I want to say it again. Harper went to so much trouble, took such care to give me something special. There aren’t many like that, at least in my experience.”

    “He’s a very special man. I’m glad you see that, and appreciate it.”
    “I do. He had this beautiful suite, and flowers and candles. Champagne. No one’s ever done anything like that for me. I don’t just mean the lavishness, you know? I’d’ve been fine with a plate of ribs and a motel room. And how crude is that,” she muttered, closing her eyes.
    “Not crude. Honest. And refreshing.”
    “What I mean to say is no one’s ever taken that time, that care to plan a whole evening with me in mind.”
    “It’s a disconcerting thrill to be swept off your feet.”
    “Yes.” Relief poured through her. “Yes, exactly. My head’s still spinning. I wanted you to know that I’d never take advantage of his nature, his consideration.”
    “He bought you that bracelet.”
    Hayley jolted, clamped a hand over it. “Yes. Roz—”
    “I’ve been admiring it since I came in. And watching you rub your hand over it, guiltily. As if you’d stolen it.”
    “I feel like I did.”
    “Oh, don’t be ridiculous.” Roz’s eyebrows drew together as she waved a hand. “You’ll irritate me.”
    “I didn’t ask for it. I told him not to. All I did was admire it in the window, and the next thing you know he’s making arrangements with the concierge and the jewelry store. He wouldn’t tell me how much it cost.”
    “I should hope not,” she said staunchly. “I raised him better.”
    “Roz, these are real stones. It’s an antique. It’s a real antique.”
    “I’ve been on my feet most of today. Don’t make me get up to get a closer look at it.”
    Emotions in turmoil, Hayley stepped over, held out her wrist. Roz simply tugged her down on the sofa. “That is abeauty, and certainly suits you. How many ruby hearts are there?”
    “I wouldn’t count them,” she began, then lowered her head at Roz’s bland stare. “Fourteen,” she confessed. “With ten little diamonds around here, and two between each heart. God, I’m crass.”
    “No, you’re a girl. And one with excellent taste. Don’t wear that to work, no matter how much you want to. You’ll get it dirty.”
    “You’re not upset?”
    “Harper is free to spend his money as he sees fit, and has the good sense to spend it with some discrimination. He gave you a lovely gift. Why don’t you just enjoy it?”
    “I thought you’d be mad.”
    “Then you underestimate me.”
    “I don’t. I don’t.” Tears swam into her eyes as she burrowed against Roz. “I love you. I’m sorry, I’m so twisted up. I’m so happy. I’m so scared. I’m in love with him. I’m in love with Harper.”
    “Yes, honey.” Roz curled an arm around Hayley, and patted gently. “I know.”
    “You know.” Sniffling, Hayley reared back.
    “Look at you.” Smiling a little, Roz brushed Hayley’s hair away from her damp cheeks. “Sitting here crying, happy, scared tears. The kind a woman sheds over some man she’s realized she’s crazy about, and doesn’t know quite how the hell it happened to her.”
    “I didn’t really know until last night. I knew I liked him, that I cared about him, but mostly I thought I wanted to bang him. Then . . . Oh God, oh God, I actually said that.” Mortified, she pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes and rubbed. “See why this is surreal? I just told Harper’s mother I wanted to bang him.”

    “I admit, the situation is a bit unique. But I think my sensibilities can handle it.”
    “It all just opened up inside me last night, everything opened up and poured through. I’ve never felt like that.” Hayley pressed a hand to her heart, and the rubies glittered. “I’ve never been in love before, not all the way in love. And I thought, when it happened, that this is it,