“She wore an itsy bitsy teeny weenie yellow polka-dot bikini…” Trace sang.

Not only did he sing that song the entire trip over to the damn store, he sang it in the store. The chick helping us find the ladies keeps shaking her head. She probably thinks he’s mentally challenged and this is one of his make a wish moments. Sometimes I wonder about this man.

Mandy… Candy… Sandy… whatever her name was, went over to another blonde bimbo. They talked for a minute before she came back over to us with a fake smile that looks like it was painted on like the rest of her face. She must have three hundred dollars worth of foundation on. It’s a little scary. Her eye make-up is just ridiculous. I swear she had to have used an entire container on just one of her eyes. She’s trying just a little too hard. From the look of her hair, I’d say she used a can of hairspray. It must have taken her at least four hours to do just her hair and make-up. I can’t even begin to figure out her outfit. The chick works at Saks for Christ sakes. You’d think she’d have to dress professionally. She has on thigh highs with a skirt that barely covers them. If her shirt was any lower I’m pretty sure I’d see her belly button. She’s kind of grossing me out.

“They should be right out. They just went back into the dressing rooms.” She says, still standing in front of us with that shit eating grin on her face. Does she want a fucking cookie for telling us that?

We walk past her to go sit on the bench by the fitting rooms. I grin when I hear her scoff behind us, and I see Trace trying hard not to laugh.

“Did you see the amount of make-up that chick had on?” Trace asks, when we sit down.

I laugh, “It had to have been three inches thick.” I say, shaking my head.

“Fuck man, and that hair. Shit I thought that style went out in the 80’s.” He says, laughing.

“She was def…” I stop short when Lauren steps out of one of the dressing rooms in one of the sexiest bathing suits I have ever seen. It was white with red polka dots all over it, and it gave a whole new meaning to string bikini. “Wow.”

“You’ve got that right.” Trace says, staring wide-eyed at Lauren and Olivia, looking at themselves in the mirror. “Do you think Olivia really loves her husband?”

“You’re fucking sick man.” I say, shaking my head at him. I stand to walk towards them, but Trace grabs my arm. I look down at him with a raised eyebrow in question.

“Dude, she’s pissed off right now. Let her have some fun.”

“You mean, let you have some more fun before I potentially ruin this fashion show?” I ask, a little disgusted.

“No, shit head. She was really pissed off when I talked to her. I just think you should give her a little more time to let off some steam.”

“While you ogle her and her friend in bikinis?”

“Sit your ass down and enjoy the show.” He says, pulling me back down onto the bench.

“They will eventually notice us, you know?” I say, shaking my head.

“Then you can piss her off then.” He says, looking back over towards the dressing rooms. I look back over and notice them both gone. They must be trying on another suit or they saw us and ran.

A minute later they came out again, only this time, Mackenzie was with them in a cute one piece suit. It was pink with yellow swirls. Lauren looked amazing. She had on a halter top bikini that made her breasts look incredible. Hot damn, does she look good. I couldn’t tell you what Olivia looks like because I can’t tear my eyes away from Lauren. I’m going to have to stop this show soon or I’m going to have to find the nearest bathroom and take care of my growing problem.

“I probably shouldn’t be turned on by this, right?” Trace asks, still staring at them.

“You better be talking about Olivia.” I say, not bothering to look at him.

“I think it’s a pretty even match.”

I turn towards him, “Do you want to get your ass kicked?”

He laughs, still not looking at me, “Whatever man. You’d have to be blind or gay to not be enjoying the both of them right now.”

“I’d prefer you not to.”

“Tough shit. She’s hot and so is her friend.”

“I’m going to kill you, you know that right?”

He laughs, “Dude, I’d never touch her. I can’t promise I wont look at her though.”

“You’re still getting your ass kicked either way.” I tell him, looking back over to the ladies. Olivia turns towards us and her eyes grow as big as saucers, and I’m pretty sure she stopped breathing.

“I think we’ve been spotted.” I say, groaning.

He ever so slightly readjusts himself before standing. I want to laugh at him, but I can’t seem to find a laugh. I’m too nervous. We both walk towards them, Mackenzie spots us and comes running to us, jumping into my arms.

“What are you doing here, daddy? Hi Uncle Trace!” She says, jumping back down to the floor. Lauren turns towards us and her smile immediately falls. My heart falls to my stomach and I want to run towards her, scoop her up in my arms, and tell her everything’s going to be ok. I want to bring her home, and pretend like this shit never happened, but I know she wont be all for that.

“Hey kiddo, why don’t you show me some more of those amazingly girlish bathing suits you have to try on.” Trace suggests, placing his hand on Mackenzie’s shoulder, gently pushing her back towards the dressing rooms. “You can show me yours too.” He says to Olivia. She rolls her eyes, before glaring at me. I nod my head at her before she turned to follow Trace and Kenzie.

“What are you doing here, Justin?” She asks, when I walk over towards her.

I sigh, “I wanted to apologize for my mother’s horrible behavior.” She starts to talk, but I cut her off, “and before you get mad and tell me it’s not my job to apologize for her, I want you to listen to what I have to say first.”

Her lips form a straight line as she nods.

“I heard what you said to her this afternoon.” I pause when her head drops to stare at the floor. “I’m not mad at you, if that’s what your thinking.”

She looks back up to me with tears in her eyes, “I yelled at your mother. How can you not be mad at me?”

“She was wrong to talk to you like that.” I sigh, “She was jealous of you.”

“What?” She asks, letting out a small chuckle. “Why would she be jealous of me? She thinks I’m a gold digger and a whore. Why would she be jealous of that?”

“She doesn’t really think those things. She was just saying them to make you leave me.” She stares at me confused, “I’ve never stood up to her like I did last night. I’ve never yelled at her over a girl and she got jealous of you. She’s never done this before. I’m sorry it had to be with you, but she knows she fucked up and she’s sorry. Again I know it means nothing coming from me and not her, but she wants to fix this.”

She scoffs, “She can’t just say she’s sorry and all will be forgiven, Justin.”

“I know that, believe me, I know that. She has a lot of work to do to fix our relationship and yours.”

“Huh?” She asks, looking at me funny.

I laugh because she’s too damn cute, “She lied to my face this afternoon. She didn’t realize we had been standing behind the door the whole time and she lied to me. She’s never lied to me. Well, not that I know of anyways. It hurt and she knows I’m angry with her over it. She’s going to have to fix my relationship with her while she fixes yours.” I explain, running my hands up and down her arms, before grabbing both of her hands in mine.

“I love you, and I’m sorry she put you through this, but I want you to come home with me. I want you to show her you’re not going anywhere. Unless of course you don’t want to.”

She takes a deep breath, “Justin, I don’t know if I can be nice to her. I really don’t want to make you uncomfortable and I really don’t want to make your dad uncomfortable either. I just don’t know how I’ll act around her and I’m sorry about that.”

“But I want you there. I want you living there. I want you to be with me and Mac everyday, showing her that she can’t break us and she wont. Please tell me she didn’t break us. I really don’t think I can handle that.” I say, squeezing her hands with mine.

“Justin, she didn’t break us. But she certainly didn’t help us either. I’m happy you stood up for me, I really am, but I can’t stay with a woman that hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you, she’s just jealous.”

“I still don’t get that. Does she not want you to ever get married or something?”

I laugh, “I don’t know, but she wants to make this right. At least show her you’re the bigger person and try. For me?” I say, sticking out my bottom lip and bat my eyelashes at her.

She laughs, “Stop it you fool.”

“Not until you say yes.”

She groans, rolling her eyes. “Fine, I’ll come for dinner, but if she can’t be nice, I’m leaving. Got it?”

I grin, “Got it.” I say, wrapping my arms around her waist, pulling her against me as I lean down to kiss her.

“How long have you been here?” She asks, pulling away a lot sooner than I liked.

“I don’t know… about three or four bikinis ago.”

She laughs, “Did you see one you liked?”

“One?” I ask, laughing, “Sweetheart, I have yet to see one I didn’t like. You look amazing in all of them. You got the both of us hard as a rock.” She laughs hysterically.

“I’m serious, I threatened Trace bodily harm if he didn’t stop ogling you.”

“You’re joking right?” She asks, still laughing.

“Hell no. At one point he asked if Olivia really loved her husband. Sick bastard.”

She laughs harder, “Oh my god! I may have to hit him for that one.”

I laugh with her, “If Olivia hadn’t noticed us he may have been beaten right here in the store.”

“So Trace thinks we’re hot?”

I glare at her, “Don’t go getting crazy ideas in that pretty little head of yours. You’re mine.”

“I haven’t made up my mind on whether or not I’m willing to take you back or not.”

“Oh nu uh little lady. You said you were coming to dinner. That meant you were taking me back… Wait when did you ever let me go?” I ask, a little confused.

She laughs, “I was joking.”

“Oh ha ha. Very funny.” I say, dejectedly.

“I’m gonna go change and save Olivia from Trace. I’ll be right back.” She says, walking back towards the dressing rooms.

Trace comes out a few minutes later with a huge grin on his face.

“What?” I ask, not really knowing if I want to know.

“Olivia’s suit wasn’t tied tight enough.” He says, grinning wider.

“You sick fucker. Did you pull the strings?”

He laughs, “No, but I enjoyed the show for a few seconds.”

“Top or bottom?” I ask, again not really knowing why I’ve asked.

“Top. Mmm She’s got some nice ones man.”

“You, my friend, are a sick, sick man.”

“Damn proud of it too.” He says, chuckling to himself.

************************************************************************

Nervous would be an understatement of how I’m feeling right now.

I know I shouldn’t be, but I can’t help but feel nervous about this. What if when his mother finally gets to know me she really doesn’t like me? I know before she was faking it, but what if she really doesn’t like who I am? I don’t think I can handle her rejection twice. Once was enough for me, and I didn’t handle that one that well.

She wasn’t home when Justin and I got back from shopping. Trace took Mackenzie out for some ice cream so she wouldn’t be around for the first meeting, but she wasn’t here. I was changing upstairs when she got home and Justin went down to talk to her, while I stayed up here like a coward. It’s not that I’m scared of her or anything, I just don’t know how I’m going to react around her and I really want to try and do this for Justin.

“Are you coming down?” Justin asks, walking into the bedroom.

I shake my head and he laughs, “You can’t hide up here all night. She knows you’re here.”

I pout making him laugh again, “Baby, come on. Let’s get this over with.”

“I’m not responsible for anything bad that comes out of my mouth then.” I say, standing up for the bed.

He laughs, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

We both walk downstairs hand in hand, making our way into the Dining Room.

“Lauren, it’s nice to see you darlin’.” Paul says, giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He certainly knows how to make me feel a little more comfortable.

“Dinner’s almost ready.” Lynn says from the doorway.

This is my chance. “Do you need any help?” I ask, very nicely, I might add. Justin and Paul both held their breath behind me and I almost laughed. What do they think I’m going to kill her in the kitchen?

Lynn looked a little surprised too, “I-I- I would love… I would love some help. Thank you.” She stumbled out. I genuinely smiled at her, no faking needed. I’m actually going to try hard for Justin.

I walk past her into the kitchen and she slowly followed.

“What can I do?” I ask, turning back towards her.

“Well, uh… You can bring the salad out to the table.” She suggested, still a little hesitant with me.

I smile, “Ok.” I pick up the salad off the table and start back towards the Dining Room.

“I’m sorry for they things I said to you, Lauren.” She says, quietly behind me. I stop, taking a deep breath before turning back towards her.

“You were right. You didn’t deserve any of what I said or did to you and I want to apologize. I’m not normally like this, but I let myself get jealous and I know that sounds childish and foolish, but it’s true. I was actually jealous of you and your relationship with my son.”

I stay quiet, waiting to see if she has more to say.

“I’ve always been his number one girl and for the first time I didn’t feel like I was anymore. I know that sounds ridiculous, but we’ve always been really close. The other day was the first time he put a woman over me and it scared me. I thought I was losing my son. I realize now, I was being ridiculous. I’m not losing my son. I’m gaining an amazing daughter-in-law. I’m not just saying that to get on your good graces, because believe me, I don’t think I will be for a long while.” She pauses for a second before continuing.

“I want to get to know you. I want us to be friends. From what I’ve heard about you, you seem like a pretty amazing person and if you’ll let me, I’d like to know more about who you really are.”

“Are you willing to do that or are you just going to judge me on who you already think I am?” I ask, not being able to help myself.

“I never really thought of you that way. I said those things to try and push you away from Justin.”

“Nothing you say or do can push me away from him.” I state.

“I know that now and believe me I will never try again.” She says, but I still can’t find it in me to believe her.

“Until you find something else you don’t like about me?” I ask.

She sighs, “I know it’s going to be hard, but I want to show you I’m not the bitch you think I am. If Justin loves you, I’m pretty sure there isn’t a thing about you that I wont love too. Just give me another chance.”

I clench my jaw, not wanting to give in to her. I know I have to eventually and it will probably be easier to do it now. I’m just not looking forward to it.

“Fine… but I want you to know I’m doing this for Justin not you.”

She nods, “I know.”

I turn, walking back into the Dining Room with the salad, placing it on the table. I take a seat next to Justin and he runs his hand up and down my thigh before grabbing a hold of my hand.

“You ok?” he whispers in my ear. I nod, not really wanting to talk about it anymore right now. Thankfully he got the hint and let it go as his mother came in, placing the rest of the food on the table.

“Looks amazing dear.” Paul says, smiling up at her. She smiles back, sitting down next to him.

That was the last thing anyone said through the whole meal.

Yeah, this is going well…