CHAPTER 122

I didn’t even breathe, just spoke. “Your mother came to see me.”

He dropped his hand. “Ah fuck. I’m sorry. I should have known and warned you. I can only picture what she would do and say. Were Jon and Bitsy there?”

Of course he would worry about them too. That was Reed. “No, and I’m glad. Jon could handle her, but she would have scared Bits.”

“I’ve dealt with her for years, Jaycee, and I can tell you she’ll lie and manipulate to get exactly what she wants.”

I gave him a slight smile. “You mean you don’t have a fianceé heading into town?”

He lifted his hand again and smoothed my hair, using his other hand to trace my lower lip with his finger. “I want a fianceé, but that’s a talk for later. What else did she say?”

My heart rate picked up, but I refused to give into what Reed offered. “It doesn’t matter what she said. I know a little about your family history. I know your mother married your dad for his money.” I reached my hand up and covered Reed’s. “I know your dad died loving your