16

William sighed in frustration as he went to greet his mother at the front door. "What are you doing here?"

Eleanor turned, looking her son up and down with pursed lips. "Well don't you look a mess, William. I see you haven't changed your playboy ways."

William ran a hand through his tousled hair self-consciously. "Actually, Mother, things are different now." He put an arm around Reyna's waist. "This is my wife, Reyna."

Eleanor's pencil-thin eyebrows shot up in surprise. Her gaze traveled from Reyna's flushed face to William's crooked shirt collar. A judgmental glint flashed in her eyes.

"Your wife?" she said dubiously. "I wasn't aware you were even dating anyone. How long has this been going on behind my back?"

"Uh, well..." William faltered, exchanging a nervous glance with Reyna.

Thinking on his feet, he fibbed, "We met a while ago through, uh, mutual friends. Been secretly together for months." He faked an adoring smile at Reyna. "You know how I like to avoid publicity, Mo