My heart froze at her statement. Were we really married? I know I signed something, but was it actually filed with the authorities? And legal?
“I’ll get you a copy. The resort was going to take care of that for us, but if you could call them and follow up for me, that’d be awesome. One less thing for me to think about.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Of course. I’ll call your assistant for the details. Congrats on your marriage and our condolences on your loss.” She turned to me. “It was nice to meet you. Hopefully next time will be under better circumstances.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at Elizabeth, honestly appreciative of her kindness and professional approach. It was a welcome difference today.
And wasn’t that sad?
Mal walked over to my chair and gently tugged me up from my seat. “Come on, baby. Let’s go home.”
There was an audible sigh from the women at the reception desk.
I smiled up at Mal and let him lead me from the building.
And I tried to take comfort in the fact that he didn’t drop my hand the second we were alone.
I just had to keep showing up.
Eventually he’d let me in.
Right?
Chapter 16
Mal
I don’t know why I was surprised, but when we pulled through the gate at my house and I saw a familiar car parked in the driveway, I was shocked. “My mom is here?”
“Your best friend died. Of course your mom is here,” Naomi retorted in her trademark snark.
I know she was close to Gio too, but I was sick of her sniping at me today. And following me around. She usually stayed in the car unless I specifically asked for her. “Right. You’re done for the day. Don’t come back until—what day is it?”
“Monday,” Naomi replied. “And—”
“I don’t give a shit. You’ve been annoying all day, and I’m going to chalk it up to grief for the moment. But it stops now. Don’t come back until Wednesday. You officially have time off.”
“But there are so many things we’ve got to—”
“I’ll figure it out. I’ll text you about the service once I’ve scheduled it. Go.”
Naomi scowled at me then grabbed her bag and stomped down the driveway to the street where her car was parked on the curb.
Saylor coughed lightly. “So I guess this means I get to meet your mom?”
I laughed. Fuck, I loved how she just let it go and focused on the shitshow currently bearing down on us and not on the one we’d just shaken off. “Yeah, looks that way. Come on.”
Trusting the driver to offload our bags, I put an arm around my wife and led her to the front door.
Which flew open before I could open it.
“Mal!” Mom shrieked, tackling me in a blur of gray hair and paisley fabric.
I went back on one foot but managed to stay upright. “Ma, you gotta calm down.”
“I just can’t believe he’s gone. Gio had so many demons, but I never thought…” She shuddered in my arms and then gave a muffled cry.
I met Saylor’s eyes over my mom’s shoulder, and my heart clenched at the pain in her expression. She was hurting for me and my mom despite never even knowing Gio. “Let’s get inside, Ma.”