“When do I get to meet her?”

“I don’t know, she’s sort of skittish. I’m trying to take it slow.”

“Wow, this girl is nothing like what you’re used to, huh?”

“Nope, not at all.” Shea smiled as he shook his head, “But, damn, she drives me nuts. Just one look, pop. One look and I’m gone.”

“I’m impressed. I want to meet her soon.”

“I’ll do my damndest. Like I said, she’s skittish.”

“Who’s skittish, honey?” Shea turned to see his mother, Jenna, coming in with Amelia on her hip. Grace, James, and Ryan came in right behind her.

“Hey, mom,” Shea said, kissing her cheek.

He hadn’t seen his parents in a few months, and Jenna hadn’t changed a bit. People would often mistake her for Grace’s sister instead of her mom, because of how young Jenna still looked. She was only 18 when she had them, so she looked young as ever. Or as she would say, “I’m forever young.”

“Who’s skittish?” she asked again as Shea kissed Amelia, then Grace, before picking Ryan up over his head. Ryan’s giggles filled the box, and everyone smiled, as Shea chose to ignore her again.

“Unky, where’s Miss Elli?”

Well, hell.

“Who’s Miss Elli?” Jenna asked again.

“Ryan’s met her?” Mark asked.

“She was the photographer for Shea’s party, Pop, and she also did the promo shots for the team. That’s how they met,” Grace said, taking Amelia from Jenna and giving her a juice box.

“Met? Who? Huh? Someone tell me something before I blow up!” Jenna yelled.

Everyone starting laughing, leaving Jenna to be confused. Sometimes she could be a little dramatic.

“Mom, Elli is Shea’s new girlfriend,” Grace said with a grin for Shea, who rolled his eyes.

“Girlfriend?” Jenna said with her hand over her heart, a dazed look on her face.

“We’re taking it slow,” Shea said sticking his tongue out at Grace. “Don’t go planning my wedding, ma.”

“How long have you guys been together?” Jenna asked.

“Just a couple of weeks. It’s new,” Shea insisted. “We’re just dating.”

“She’s really nice, Jenna. I met her at the party, she loves kids,” James added.

Shea cut his brother in law a look, but James just smiled.

“She loves kids! Is she still in child bearing years?”

“Jesus, mom!” Grace yelled, as Shea shook his head. “If you do meet her, please don’t ask her that.” Grace shook her head as she made a plate for the kids.

“What? It’s a logical question!” Jenna insisted as she turned her attention back to Shea.

“How old is she?”

“27,” he repeated.

“What does she look like?”

“Um, she’s about this tall,” he said bring his hand to the base of his throat, “Real dark curly hair, cute little nose. Her lips, mom, Jesus, they have that little cupid bow look to them, and rosy cheeks, but the best part is her eyes, they are as green as moss, the kind of eyes that make you stop, look, and stare.”

Shea took a deep breath, wishing Elli was there.

“She’s gorgeous.”

Jenna had a dreamy look on her face as she covered her mouth. For a minute, Shea thought she might cry.

“Yeah, Mom. And get this! She isn’t a Barbie doll,” Grace added.

Shea looked over at her.

“Of course not, she isn’t blonde.”

“No. I mean, she isn’t a size zero, she’s got meat on her, she’s kinda thick.”

Shea gave Grace a dirty look, and Grace held up her hands as she laughed “Whoa there, killer, I’m not saying she’s fat, but she sure isn’t skinny.”

“Really?” Jenna asked, as Mark gave Shea a surprised look, too. Shea knew this was news. He understood their surprise. But had he really only dated Barbie dolls before? No wonder Elli had a complex about this.

“Yeah, I guess,” Shea said with a shrug. “I think she is perfect.”

Jenna smiled, cupping his face.

“Well, good, I can’t wait to meet her. Has she been married?”

“Jesus, mom!” Grace groaned as she shook her head “Leave him alone! It’s only been two weeks.”

“Still, he’s head over heels for her. I need to know this kind of stuff.”

“Whoa, head over heels?” Shea asked, looking up at his mother, “What the h-e-l-l does that mean?”

“Thanks, Shea,” Grace said with a grin, as she kissed Ryan’s head. Ryan had been so bad about repeating everything he heard. So everyone had been doing a lot of spelling lately.

“You know what it means. You’re in love,” Jenna said. She was so sure of herself that Shea kind of believed her for a split second.

“The h-e-l-l you say!” That had everyone laughing, as Shea got madder by the second.

“I care about her, but no way do I love her. I’ve never been in love. I think I would know if I was in love. I mean, it’s been two weeks,” Shea complained.

Jenna just smiled as she leaned her head on Mark, looking up at him lovingly. Shea became disgusted and went to Ryan, kissing his head.

“Unky, win for me?”

“Of course,” Shea said, kissing him again before kissing Amelia.