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the best. Ever .”
    Her lips twitched behind her glass. “Yeah, Mom wasn’t the best cook.” She blinked. Her smile dimmed at the mention of Grandma, but she quickly shook her head, bringing her attention back to me. “I’m not entirely sure how you survived up there for as long as you did.”
    A vision of take-out bags filled my thoughts. “I learned to cope.”
    My brows slowly bunched, and I peered at her from under my lashes. I kept my question light. “Grandma never said anything about Grandpa. What was he like?” He had died in a work-related accident long before I was born.
    Mom scratched her chin and rested back on the chair. Comfortable. At ease. “Dad was a quiet man. A lot like you, really. He only had a few friends, but the ones he did…,” she smiled to herself, “they used to come over on Friday nights. They would play cards—play for pennies.” She nodded to herself, deep in thought. “And, my God, did he love Mom. They were practically glued at the hip.”
    I ran my gaze over her soft features. “He sounds like a good guy.”
    “He was,” Mom said tenderly. After a space of silent recollection, she took a drink and eyed me over the edge of her glass. “Why do you ask?”
    I cleared my throat. My stomach buzzed with nerves, but I decided to bite the bullet. “Well, I always wondered why you didn’t get married.”
    Her brows snapped together. “Is this about who your dad—”
    I waved a sharp hand. “No.” I shook my head. “No. No. No.” I pointed my fork at her. “You’ve told me many times that you don’t know which guy he was. I don’t feel like digging through that mess. One parent is enough for me. What I want to know is why haven’t you ever married?” I hesitated. “I thought you might when I left for college.”
    Her brown eyes widened. “You thought I hadn’t married because of you?”
    Bingo. “Yeah.”
    “That’s not true.” She waved a dismissive hand in the air. The jingle of her bracelets put a tiny smile on my face. Home . “Some people aren’t the marrying sort. Like myself.” She tipped her head to me…and her entire face lit up with amusement. Laughing softly, she stated, “And some are. Like you.” Her sparkling gaze swept over mine. “That’s what this conversation is really about, isn’t it? You and Jet?”
    Damn her. “Maybe.”
    Mom stood from her chair…and patted the top of my head like I was a good dog. “Just marry him already. I know you have this view of how perfect marriage should be, but it’s not. Marriage isn’t neat or pretty. But for those who are destined for each other, it can be beautiful through all the mess.” She waggled a finger at me. “You know Jet isn’t the type of man to take just one sip from.”
    My lips twitched. “Actually, you’re wrong. He’s the man I want to take just one sip from every minute of every hour of every day. For the rest of my life.”
    Snickering gently, Mom turned to leave, walking out my door.
    I still heard her say under her breath, “ Finally. There is a bit of me in her .”
    Now those were scary words. Though, they were definitely true.
    I was my mother’s daughter.
    I finished off the meal. “Hey, Mom?”
    She called from her work in the kitchen, “Yeah?”
    “I’m glad I’m home.”
    “The feeling’s mutual.” Only a bare beat, “Now, get your ass out of here and go see Jet.”

 
    Present Day
    “You want something to drink?” the bartender asked. “Beebee” wasn’t working the bar tonight. Instead, an attractive guy was. I highly doubted anyone unattractive worked at The Club.
    “I don’t drink,” I answered politely. My medication doesn’t allow it . Not a lot anyway. “But I will take a bottled water.” He bent behind the bar and then handed me an icy bottle. “Is Mr. Mak working tonight?”
    I had taken my mom’s advice, now at The Club. I had no problem getting in. Apparently, I was on the approved list. I even wore the pantsuit that I had worn