Easy Nights (Boudreaux #6)

“Well, there’s no need to talk ill of people,” Mom reminds us both. “But I can honestly say that Sally is a delight to have around. She’s smart, and she cooks very well. She doesn’t let me win at cards, and she likes some of the same shows as me.”

“That’s great,” Van says. She leans over to squeeze my mom’s hand.

My God, I love this woman. She adores my mom, and genuinely worries for her. She’s completely focused on being in the moment with Mom right now, and I’m surprised to realize that I don’t think I’ve ever been more attracted to her as I am in this moment.

She’s not just beautiful and everything I could ever want in bed.

She’s thoughtful and kind.

And she’s mine.

“I told Ben I wanted to come here as soon as possible to make sure that Sally is treating you well.”

“Oh yes, we’re just fine. I wasn’t sure about having someone here all the time. I don’t need a babysitter, and your mama is just next door. But I admit that it’s nice to have the company. And she leaves just after dinner, so that gives me a couple of hours to myself before bed.”

“That’s perfect,” Van says with a relieved smile. “And how is your foot healing up?”

“You know me, I’m always slow to heal, but it’s not giving me too much trouble. I just walk slow, and with a cane. And let me tell you something, that cane has got to go as soon as possible. I look like an old woman with it.”

“You’re beautiful,” I murmur. Mom’s cheeks pinken and she winks at me.

“You’re a charmer. Is that how he snagged you, Savannah?”

“Actually, no. He wasn’t terribly charming when we decided to give this a go.”

“Really?” Mom frowns at me. “I taught him better than that.”

“Actually,” Savannah continues, “he was great. He wasn’t charming, but he was honest, and he’s always nothing but considerate and gentle with me.”

“That’s better,” Mom says with a satisfied nod. “Good boy.”

I laugh as Van’s phone rings. “I’m so glad that my mom doesn’t treat me like I’m fourteen.”

The sarcasm is thick in my voice.

“I’m sorry, I have to take this call. It’s the office.” Van stands and walks out of the room, already focused on whomever has called.

“You’re not a child. You’re a man, and you’re treating this lovely girl the way a man should treat her. I’m proud of you for that.”

“Are we going to talk about our feelings all day?”

Mom rolls her eyes and then just smiles at me. “Now that she’s occupied, how is it really going?”

“She’s amazing,” I reply honestly. My mom has always been easy to talk to. “I knew years ago that she was special. We all knew it.”

“We did,” she confirms, and quietly waits for me to continue.

“But she’s more.” I rub my hand through my hair, trying to think of words that adequately describe how I feel for Savannah. “She’s everything.”

Mom smiles. “I certainly hope you plan to marry her. I want grandchildren.”

I laugh and nod. “It’s still early, but yes. I plan to be with her for the rest of my life. I don’t know about kids, but she’s it for me.”

“I’m so happy for you both,” Mom says just as Savannah returns.

“I’m sorry about that,” she says and tosses her phone in her bag, then sits in her chair. “Did I miss anything good?”

“He’s just telling me secrets,” Mom says and then laughs when Van stares at me with wide eyes. “I’m kidding. I’m so happy you both stopped in today. I’d like to see you more often.”

“I’d like that too,” Savannah says with a nod. “You should come to Mama’s house for dinner this Sunday.”

“I think I might just do that,” Mom replies and smiles again when she sees Van reach out for my hand. She’s probably already planned the whole damn wedding in her head.

Savannah checks the time.

“I hate to cut this short, but my appointment is in about a half hour.”

“We should go,” I reply. “Just call me if you need anything. I’ve already given Sally the same order, and she has my cell number.”

“I’m fine.” Mom tilts her head, waiting for me to kiss her cheek. “Go live your life, my boy.”

***

“Sally seems really great,” Van says as we pull out of Mom’s driveway and head to her appointment at my ink shop. “And professional, which is key.”

“I agree. I’m comfortable with her being there. Much more comfortable than when Mom was by herself.”

Van nods.

“I have a confession.”

I glance over at her and then back to the road. “Okay.”

“I don’t like needles.”

I frown. “You’ve had a tattoo before.”

“I know, and I didn’t like it then either, but it was on the back of my neck, so I couldn’t see it.”

“Where are you getting this one?”

She shakes her head and keeps talking, evading my question.

“So, I might be freaking out a bit. I’m not ridiculous. I don’t pass out or throw up or anything.”

“That’s encouraging.”

“But I really don’t like them.”

“And you were going to do this by yourself?”

She scowls. “Well, yeah. I’m not a weanie, Ben.”

I’m unable to hold the burst of laughter in. “No. That you’re not.”

“Stop trying to distract me.”

“You’re going to be fine, Van. I’ll be there to hold your hand.”

She smiles. “That’s nice of you.”

“Yeah, I’m a nice guy.”

She snorts and shakes her head. “And humble.”

“That, too.”

I pull into the parking lot and follow Van inside. My guy, Buck, is standing at the counter.

“Hey, man,” Buck says and shakes my hand. “I can’t take you as a walk in today. I have an appointment right now.”

“I’m your appointment,” Van says. “And he’s with me.”

Buck cocks a brow. “Savannah?”

“Yep.”

“Nice to meet you.” He holds his hand out for hers and she immediately shakes it. “Do you have what you want with you?”

“I do.” She reaches in her handbag and takes out a folded piece of paper. She smoothes it out and passes it to Buck. “I want exactly this.”

“This won’t take long at all. Where do you want it?”

She glances at me, and then says, “On my side, like this.” She gestures on her side, up and down, and I cringe.

That’s gonna hurt.

“We can do that,” Spider says with a nod. “I’m gonna go in the back and make a stencil for this and we’ll get started.”

“Great.”

Savannah links her fingers with mine and holds on tight. She’s nervous, but aside from the vise grip on my hand, you’d never know it.

She looks cool and calm.

I lean down and whisper in her ear. “You’re doing great.”

“Nothing’s happened yet,” she reminds me.

In just a few minutes, Buck returns with a wet stencil. He gestures for Van to lie on his table, on her side, and she pulls her shirt up under her armpit.

She’s not wearing a bra.

Fuck me.

“I’m going to put this on you, and then you can go look in the mirror to make sure you like it. We can move it as many times as you need.”

“Okay,” Van says with a smile. Buck presses the stencil on, and when he removes the paper, I can see what it says.

Still I rise.

The font is simple. It’s not swirly or overtly feminine.

It’s perfect for her.

She stands and looks in the mirror, and comes back with a big smile on that gorgeous face of hers.

“This is great. Exactly what I had in mind.”