Under His Skin by Emeline Piaget Page A

It’s too hot.”
     
    “I like to feel the wind in my hair.”
     
    “It’s dangerous sitting in a parking lot with your windows open.  Anything could happen.  You didn’t see or hear me walk up.  I could have been anyone Ma.”
     
    “I’m not worried.  I know my big strong, strapping son will save me.”  I shook my head.
     
    “Woman you are impossibly stubborn.”
    “I know it and you are just like me.  It’s why you have a multi-million dollar business.”
     
    “That and I’m smart as hell.”
     
    “Yeah, you also get that from me,” she quipped.
     
    I helped her out of the car and walked slowly towards the restaurant.  Summer was my favorite season, everything was alive and vibrant.  The air smelled fresh, and the flowers were blooming.  Summer was like spring’s hot older sister.  In spring everything starts developing and growing, but in the summer, it’s all in full bloom, mature.
     
    “What’s in the bag Nicky?”
    “Calm down woman, you’ll see soon enough,” I teased.  She poked me in my side.
     
    Our table was ready as soon as we arrived.  I held out my mother’s chair for her as she sat down and got comfortable.
     
    “How was your day Ma?”
     
    “It was great Nicky. I went to the Farmer’s Market and did some shopping.  Then Michelle and I had lunch.”
     
    “How is Michelle?”
     
    “She’s doing well.  She’s so excited for Pete and Emily’s baby.”
     
    About three years after we graduated from high school, Pete ran into Emily at a college football game.  Pete had started working out with me when he saw all the dates I was getting.  She told him she hardly recognized him.  I guess it was enough to catch her attention because he asked her out and after the game and they had been together ever since.  I was the best man at his wedding.
     
    “Pete’s a nervous wreck,” I said.  “It’s quite entertaining.”  We both chuckled.
     
    “You should have seen Michelle.  She could barely sit still from the excitement.  It sure would be nice to be that excited myself,” she prodded.
     
    “Oh C’mon Ma!  Not this again.  Please!  Kellie and I aren’t together and I’m in no rush to meet anyone else.”
     
    “Nicky, I don’t get it.  You’re such a good looking man.  There should be women falling all over you.”
     
    “They are Ma; I’m just not catching them.” I smirked.
     
    “Nicky you can’t be single forever.”
     
    “I can try,” I teased.  She hit my arm playfully.
     
    “You’re incorrigible.”
     
    “I get it from you.”
     
    “Oh no, son, you only get the best from me,” she laughed.
     
    “Yeah, you’re pretty amazing Ma.  Do you know what you want to eat?”
     
    We both perused the menu and placed our orders for our appetizers and entrees then continued chit chatting throughout the meal.
     
    “So do I get to see what’s in the bag Nicky?”
     
    “Geez woman you are impatient,” I laughed. 
     
    “It’s just a little something.  I hope you like it.”
     
    I pulled the bag out of the chair next to me and handed it to her.  She admired the gold wrapped box with a shimmering gold bow.  As I watched her open the box, my thoughts drifted back to Addison in the store. 
     
    Watching as she wrapped the gift box, her hands moving deftly across the box as she wrapped it.  I wondered what those hands would feel like as she touched my face, as she slid them down my chest and moved them all over my body.  I heard talking, but I couldn’t make it out, suddenly my mother’s voice snapped me back to reality.
     
    “Nicky…”
     
    “Huh? What? I’m sorry Ma, what did you say?”
     
    “I was just saying what a beautiful scarf.  Did you pick this out all by yourself?”
    “I did, I’m a big boy you know?”
     
    “Oh, hush it.  This is really beautiful Nicky, thank you love.”  She leaned over and kissed my cheek. 
     
    “You’re welcome Ma, I love you too.”
     
    “Well, we better get