The O'Brien Way Read Online Free PDF Page A

chair for her. “Christmas is just around the corner and you still haven’t told me what you want Santa to bring you.”
    Moby took a seat and waited for his mom’s answer. He watched her take a bite of the wild rice and nod her acceptance. “There has to be something,” he prompted.
    Virginia
closed her eyes and shook her head. “The only thing I want, you can’t give me.”
    Moby reached over and put his hand on his mom’s thin arm. “I’m sorry. I can’t bring Dad back.”
    Virginia
opened her eyes, their depths still swimming with moisture. “Grandchildren.”
    It was the first time his mom had mentioned her desire for grandchildren. He wondered if that, more than anything, was the reason she’d reacted to his sexuality like she had. The really hard part was trying to understand why his mom wanted grandchildren. Although she hadn’t been a bad mother, she hadn’t been overly attentive either. “Sorry. Maybe you should’ve had more than one kid.”
    “I wanted to, but Bill said one was plenty,” she mumbled, cutting a small piece of meat from the pork chop.
    Moby noticed she didn’t eat the bite, just let it sit on her plate. “I didn’t know. I assumed neither of you wanted more. I mean, it’s not like you really took the time to lavish attention on me.” Yeah, his bitterness was still in place, but dammit , hearing his mom say she wanted more children pissed him off.
    Virginia
shook her head. “If I’d had the time and support, I would’ve had an entire houseful.” She set her fork down and reached across the table to squeeze Moby’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
    “For what?” he asked, dropping his fork to hold her hand in return.
    “Bill required a lot of attention.”
Virginia
used her free hand to wipe the tears from the corners of her big green eyes. “I was so busy being a wife. I didn’t have the time to be the kind of mother you deserved.”
    Although it hurt, Moby was relieved to hear his mom admit what he’d always felt to be the case. “Well, you have me now, and Dad’s no longer here to come between us. Maybe instead of resenting me for being here, we could try to become friends.”
    Virginia
looked shocked. “I don’t resent you for being here. I resent the fact that you have to be here. I’m a grown woman who should be able to do all this stuff on her own, but I let myself get into a position that I don’t know how to get out of.”
    “If you’d like, I could teach you some of the basics like budgeting and how to balance a cheque book?”
    Virginia
’s face lit up. “You’d do that? Do you think I could really do it?”
    Moby nodded and stood to lean over the table. He kissed his mom’s cheek and smiled. “I think you can master anything you put your mind to.”
    Virginia
cupped Moby’s cheek. “I love you.”
    “I love you, too, Mom.”

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    Moby felt a hand on his ass and glanced down at Lorenzo. The touch became a painful squeeze. “You do a whole lot of groping and very little tipping.”
    “What’re you saying? I gotta pay to play?” Lorenzo asked.
    “Something like that.” Moby set down the pitcher of beer and a frosted glass. He gestured towards the bar. “One word and Sean would toss you out on your ass.”
    “Only if you say something to him,” Lorenzo said.
    “You’re right. So do yourself a favour and take your hand off my ass.” Moby waited until Lorenzo released his hold. “Thank you. Flag me down if you need a refill.” He carried his empty tray back to the bar to pick up another order.
    “Problem?” Sean asked, setting a gin and tonic on the tray along with two beers.
    Moby leaned against the bar and shook his head. “Nothing I can’t deal with.”
    Sean mimicked Moby’s position and stared into his eyes. “You shouldn’t have to deal with harassment. You’re a damn good waiter.”
    “And you’re too damn sexy for your own good,” Moby said, winking. He hadn’t been able to get Sean out of his head