“Do we really have to go over this tonight?” I groan, looking at the different waiter/waitress uniforms that Addie has in pictures. They’re strung out over one of the new tables in the restaurant.

We’ve been in our new home for two months. We’re in the middle of renovations and the expense is making my head swim. Addie’s father insisted on giving us a big chunk of the renovation as a housewarming gift and Addie asked my mother to help her in the kitchen and organizing the restaurant. I didn’t think my mom would want to work outside the farm, but her and Addie have become super close and she jumped at the chance. Which means, my mother also put in on the renovations. We’re still spending a huge chunk of change, but it could have been much worse.

Life has been good. Every day with Addie just keeps getting better and better. We still haven’t heard from Linda. I keep hoping that means she’s given up, but somewhere in the back of my head I know she’ll show up again. It’s just the waiting for it that’s driving me insane.

“This is important, Black,” Addie says, looking up from the pictures.

“I’m tired, sweetheart. I want to go to bed.”

“Then—”

“In our bed, with my woman.”

“It’s not even dark outside, crazy man.”

“Is this what we’ve come to, Addie?”

“What?”

“A couple who can’t go to bed and have sex until it’s dark outside.”

“You said you were sleepy, not that you wanted to have sex,” she laughs.

“Would it have made a difference?”

“Damn straight. Let me just lock the door and—”

“Jesus, it’s hotter out there than a hooker’s doorknob on nickel night,” Mom says coming in like the hurricane that she is.

“Hold that thought, Princess,” I whisper to Addie.

“Hey, Ida Sue,” she responds, giving me a sneaky grin as Mom comes over and hugs her.

“Hey, Orchid. What are we doing tonight?”

I hold my head down, because if Mom’s here to work there’s one thing clear. I’m not about to get sex tonight.

“We’re deciding on the wait-staff uniforms. Black’s being zero help.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me? Hey son, how are you?” she says, hugging me.

“Hey, Mom.”

“So have we picked our favorites?” she questions, sitting down beside me.

“We’ve just started,” Addie explains. “These are my four favorites and Black was just about to tell me his.”

“I was?”

“I’d like to finish this before bedtime tonight,” she says, giving me a pointed look.

Score!

“I like this one,” I tell her picking one out without really looking at it.

“Good Lord! That’s a no, son. We want couples to come in for food—not a divorce.”

“What are you talking about?

“Those shorts are so short on that girl that I swear you can see parts of her hairy critter.”

“I swear, Mom,” I laugh, because I can’t stop myself. “Hairy critter?”

“Exactly. We don’t want none of that in my Orchid’s restaurant. It needs to be classy not a petting zoo free for all.”

“Petting zoo?” Addie asks, but I shake my head no. You really shouldn’t encourage my mother.

“These outfits will show off the girl’s barns. You make the barn look that enticing and everyone will want to pet the…”

“Hairy critters,” Addie finishes for Mom.

“There you go,” Mom answers.

“Okay, these are out of consideration,” Addie giggles.

“Either of the three remaining works. You figure out which one you like, Orchid. That’s what matters.”

“I’m too tired to think about it right now,” Addie sighs. “I’ll tackle it again tomorrow. I have to be up early. The ceiling fans are coming in and I have to sign for them.”

“Oh! I know a guy who can put them up,” Mom says cheerfully.

“He needs to know what he’s doing. I have a number for a certified electrician and—”

“Pfft. That’s a waste of money. My Chocolate Thunder can do it and he won’t charge a dime.”

“Titan?”

“He’s amazing at this kind of thing, Orchid. You take my word for it,” Mom croons, patting Addie’s hand.

“Jensen will not be happy if he comes over and finds you staring at Titan without a shirt again, Mom.”

“Then he can punish me later and it will be a win-win,” Mom laughs.

“Shoot me now,” I moan, putting my head down on the table, hearing Addie’s laughter.

“Not yet. I kind of like having you around,” Mom responds with that sly grin she gets sometimes. “I am wondering, however, what you’re doing to find that psycho-ex of yours.”

“Not a damn thing. I have people everywhere looking for her and it’s like she’s just dropped off the face of the earth. We’re finding nothing.”

“I think that’s good. Maybe she got afraid and decided to cut her losses and go—hopefully to another country, but at least another state,” Addie says cheerfully.

“You’re being too optimistic, Orchid. No, with that kind of crazy you know they’re not going to give up easily. I think she’ll rear her head soon.”

“You do?” Addie asks.

“She wants to make you pay for taking what she deems as hers,” Mom says and I frown.

“Bullshit. I was never hers,” I growl, still pissed at myself over even being with Linda in the first place.

“Not the way she sees it, boy,” Mom corrects me. “In her eyes, you were her property and she’ll want you to pay for leaving, but she’ll want Orchid to pay more.”

I know she’s right. Anger and fear mix inside of me. I’m running out of time to find Linda. I feel it.

“You think she’ll attack when she can hurt me the most,” Addie says, frowning.

“Yeah, I’m afraid so, Orchid.”

“Then the most likely time will be the opening of the restaurant,” Addie says.

Mom looks at me and we’re both thinking the same thing.

“Or sooner,” I murmur along with Mom. Shit.