Sea Breeze 02 - Because of Low

help her out Marcus?” She asked with a teasing lilt to her voice.
    “Shut up Manda,” he replied and slipped his arm around my back. She winked at me before turning around to lead us to the dinning room. The table was huge and covered in food. They really did family dinners up right around here. A tall elegant woman walked out of the kitchen. Her blond hair was almost white. Maybe platinum would be the best way to describe it. It was cut in a short pageboy style that suited her classic appearance. Her slender figure reminded me of Amanda. The white apron tied around her waist was so white it looked as if it had never been used. Underneath the apron she had on what appeared to be a black halter dress complete with black pumps on her feet. When you look at her one word comes to mind, rich.
    “Marcus,” she beamed at the sight of her son.
    “Mama, this is Willow,” his hand tightened on my waist, “Low, this is my mom, Margaret.”
    Margaret set the basket of bread down on the table and made her way to me smiling brightly. A little too brightly. The pain in her eyes is impossible to mask.
    “It’s so nice to meet you Willow. I’ve heard so much about you and you’re just as beautiful as Marcus promised you were.”
    “ It’s a pleasure to meet you too. Thank you so much for inviting me to dinner.” Her smile appeared to relax and become more genuine.
    “I’m thrilled you came. Marcus never brings girls to dinner. Your presence is very welcome.”
    “Can I help you with anything Mama?”
    He called her Mama. How freaking cute was that?
    “No honey, you and Willow have a seat. Amanda is bringing the pitcher of tea and then we’ll be ready.”
    Marcus pulled out a chair for me and I sat down while he pushed it back in. Then he walked over and did the same thing for his mother. “Here you go,” he said, smiling down at her. The love in her eyes as she gazed at him was unmistakable. Marcus was very well loved. No matter what his family issues were, his mother and his sister adored him. But then, how could they not.

    Chapter Eighteen

    Marcus

    My mother prattled on about the upcoming Sea Breeze Seafood Festival and the charity event she was heading up. Willow was perfect. She acted interested in my mother’s pointless chatter and even kept the conversation going with questions about the event. Amanda caught my attention twice. She was very happy with Willow. Right now having my mother preoccupied was the best thing and Willow was doing a fantastic job. It took all my will power not to lean down and kiss her senseless. When Willow asked if there was anything she could do to help, my mother’s face lit up like the Fourth of July. Relief at seeing a real smile on her face made it easier to swallow my food. The sick knot in my stomach at the devastation shining in her eyes when we’d arrived had felt like a lead weight in my stomach. But with each smile Willow brought out of her I could eat more easily and relax. Amanda’s tense posture had also eased. By the end of the meal I’d given up all pretenses of not being as fascinated with Willow as my mother was. I openly stared at her, drinking in her smooth skin, silky hair that curled over her shoulders and those expressive eyes of hers. The light pink color in her cheeks told me she knew I was ogling her.
    “I’d love to help out. I’ll have Marcus text you my number. Then you can let me know when you need me.”
    She was going to spend time helping my mom. Damn I was so far gone at this point I’d do anything she asked of me.
    “Marcus, honey?” My mother’s voice broke into my thoughts and I jerked my gaze off Willow and turned to focus on my mother.
    “Yes?”
    She chuckled and seemed very pleased. Tonight hadn’t been a bust after all. Willow had saved the day.
    “Can you help me get the caramel cake and dessert plates please?”
    Nodding I stood up and Amanda covered her laughter with a napkin. I had a feeling Mom had called my name more than once before I’d heard her. Both my mother and my sister were way too easily amused.
    I followed my mother into the kitchen and the moment we were safely hidden from the dining room she spun around and hugged me tightly.
    “Oh honey she’s perfect. I love her. She’s gorgeous and smart and you’re just so smitten with her. It does my heart so good to see you like this. And she’s local. I’d always worried you’d meet some girl off at college and move away from me. This is perfect. I