“I tragically do have more brothers, but they don’t know how to act right.” She sighed. “That ain’t fair. Sammy has ten pups and a diner he and his mate run. But Travis Ray and Donnie Ray could have shut the garage down for a few days. And last I heard, tax accountants weren’t dramatically needed in the middle of June, so I think Jackie Ray could have closed up his little piece of shit office for a weekend.”

“So why didn’t they?”

“Because they’re bastards. Because they think this is stupid. Because when Daddy’s not there, Travis wants to think he’s in charge. And, most importantly, it’s football season.”

Mitch frowned. He loved most sports, but football was his true passion. “It’s not football season.”

“Yeah, well…”

“Yeah, well what? I know for a fact it’s not football season.”

Sissy shook her head. “I don’t want to discuss it.”

“Yeah, but—”

“I,” she cut in roughly, “don’t want to discuss it.”

“Okay. Okay. No need to get your thong in a bind.”

“And stop telling people Momma busted us in the garden.”

“She did.”

“And that I’m in love with you?”

“You are,” he teased, loving how he got her to smile with the silliest stuff that most females didn’t find remotely funny. “You simply haven’t faced it yet. You saucy siren, you.”

“You know, you look like the high school football star—”

“I was.”

“—but you talk like a dweeb.”

“It’s called being complex and dynamic.”

“It’s called being a geek.” Her body suddenly tensed. “Is that her?”

Mitch looked around. “Don’t see her. I think you’re safe for the time being.”

“Thought I scented her.”

“Isn’t your mother leaving tomorrow?”

Sissy’s whole body dropped, her limbs sort of relaxing so that she looked like she’d passed out. “Yes! Her, my daddy, and Ronnie’s momma and daddy are going on that cruise. And not soon enough. I’ve got one nerve left, Mitchell. One. And she’s playing ‘Dueling Banjos’ on it.”

Mitch laughed as Sissy motioned one of the waiters over. “Darlin’,” she said to the waiter with her most luxurious drawl, “could you please get me a shot of tequila.”

Staring at her, his mouth kind of open, the waiter nodded and started to walk away. Mitch caught hold of his jacket and asked, “You gonna ask me?”

“Oh. Yes. Yes. Of course. What would you like, sir?”

“Beer.”

“We have over seventy—”

“Bud.”

The waiter looked disgusted at Mitch’s love of good ol’American brew. “Of course, sir.”

Really big feet waved in front of his face after the waiter walked off.

“Hello? You ain’t done. And get the instep this time.”

Mitch gripped her feet and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’ll get the instep.”

“Don’t you tick—”

He started tickling her feet, and laughing hysterically, Sissy desperately tried to pull her feet back.

“Stop, Mitch! Stop! Ow!”

The woman had this ability to come out of nowhere. One second, she wasn’t there, and then suddenly, Miss Janie was not only there but also yanking her daughter by the hair.

“Sissy Mae Smith,” she ordered. “Act like ya got some damn sense.”

Mitch kept his grip on Sissy’s feet, afraid she’d get up and get into a full-on dogfight with her mother.

As quickly as she showed anger, Janie Mae just as quickly calmed down. She kissed Mitch on the forehead. “Hello, pretty kitty.”

Strange how Sissy’s mother had seen Mitch several times during the day, but this was the first time she’d greeted him…and definitely the first time she’d kissed him. He got the distinct feeling he was being used here. Not that he minded. He actually liked the crazy She-wolf. Of course, not quite the same way he liked her daughter.

“Hi, Miss Janie.” Everyone called her Miss Janie, and Mitch was afraid to call her anything else.

She patted his cheek in that motherly way she had. “I met your momma. I just love her.”

Mitch blinked. “You do?” Even he had to admit his mother was not an easy woman to get along with. She was loud and raunchy and rude. But that didn’t mean anything to Mitch because the woman amazed him. Her dream had always been to own a high-end salon, but the Pride wouldn’t pay for that. They would, however, pay for her to go to nursing school. She ended up being a nurse for years, putting money away and taking stylist classes in her free time. It took her years, but eventually, she opened her own place and now had three of them in the Philadelphia area. With her own grit and determination, she’d moved the O’Neill Pride up in the ranks and had offered Mitch more than once to “help you get your ass in your own Pride.”

“She’s lovely. I’m planning a big end of summer party in August, and I invited her and that gorgeous baby sister of yours. I want you to come too. Okay?”

“You want us in Smithtown?”

“Oh, no.” Miss Janie shook her head. “We’ll be having it here somewhere. Lord, son, I’d never bring you down to Smithtown.” She gripped his face with one hand, long fingers on both sides of his face, and squeezed until his lips pursed out. His mother often did the same thing. Was it a maternal instinct like breast feeding? “This face is simply too gorgeous to have it ruined like that.”