Free Yours Book 2: Gaining Experience (Yours Series) by Blue Saffire Page B

a point that I need him to make good on that promise. I know Nick will protect me, but I just have this sinking feeling that tells me we are all about to be blindsided. I, for one, have had enough of being blindsided.
    The more honest Nick is with me the better prepared I can be for whatever is headed our way. I am sure of it. My thoughts are rattling in circles when I hear voices headed our way.
    Nick stepped out a few minutes ago. I am surprised when Nick and Luke enter the room, followed by Ettie and Andrew and my mother. I haven’t spoken to my mother in weeks.
    I sigh when I realize I am wearing sleep pants and a tank top. My hair is a wild frizzy mess. I frown at my thoughts and shrug it off. This is the place I call home. I don’t have to apologize for being relaxed in my own home.
    “Well, it is good to see my daughter is still alive. I thought something must have happened to you. I didn’t think it possible that you could go weeks without talking to your own mother and be in good health,” Mother starts right away.
    “Faraz,” Nick sighs. “Sephora has been very busy with work.”
    “You are such a dear, Nick. I appreciate you trying to cover for my daughter, but she knows she is wrong,” she replies to Nick.
    I can almost see steam coming out of his ears. Once again like inside of the conference room yesterday I find my voice and my backbone. I stand and move next to Nick before he tells my mother off and throws her out.
    Placing my hand in Nick’s I squeeze gently. “Hello mother, last I checked the phone works both ways. I don’t believe I have changed my number. I also don’t recall seeing any missed calls. I was only without a phone for two days tops. Though I doubt you tried to call during that time. You are looking lovely today, so I am assuming you have been, well,” I say and lift a brow at my mother.
    Her mouth drops open and Nick squeezes my hand back. I peek at him from the corner of my eyes and see a smile on his lips. I turn to see Ettie with a proud grin of her own and Andrew is trying to smother a laugh.
    Luke on the other hand, has his attention focused on one person and one person only. I don’t even think he has heard any of the exchange as his eyes devour Kimmie, who sits frozen on the couch looking right back at him. My heart breaks for her as tears start to swim in her eyes.
    Before I can make a move to console her, she is on her feet headed for the nearest bathroom. It won’t be long before that secret is out. I sigh and turn back to my mother who happens to just be recovering.
    “Yes, well, I wish I could say the same for you, dear. You should wait to get a ring on your finger before you stop presenting your best. You wouldn’t want to send Nick running off to the next pretty and more suitable option,” my mother retorts.
    Nick snorts and I swear he growls. “Sephora is just as beautiful to me now as she is dressed in the latest fashion, with a face full of makeup. Actually, I love her even more this way. Faraz, you are going to have to find a way to refrain from speaking the way you do to my future wife. I don’t like it and I don’t want my children hearing it.
    “If you intend to be a part of our lives and our family’s life, then you need to bury those problems you have with yourself and stop trying to impose them on Sephora,” Nick says with finality.
    “Wow, if I didn’t like you before, I am in love with you now,” Ettie smiles at Nick.
    “Nicholas, I never,” Mother says and lifts her chin.
    “Faraz, I think that is the problem. You never and it is time you did,” Nick says with a lifted brow.
    I can see my mother stewing, but she also knows that Nick is very serious. I wish I could fist pump right now to see my mother firmly put in her place. I want to pat myself on the back for sticking up for myself as well. I haven’t been calling her because I am tired of her verbally battering me.
    It doesn’t escape my notice that Luke is no longer in the room.