A harsh laugh escaped her. "Stop trying to scare me, Mom. I already checked—there are no flights to North City today."
Patrick approached with his parents.
"Mother-in-law? Where are you going?"
His mother, Zoey Lambert, let out an exaggerated gasp of surprise. Jade quickly looped her arm through mine—her grip a vice—and forced a smile.
"My mom heard you and Dad were coming, and she insisted on making a fuss and coming to the airport to welcome you. She even brought a box of local specialties as a gift!"
Patrick caught the look in his wife's eyes instantly. "Yeah, that's right. We couldn't talk her out of it." He reached for my luggage. "Mom, let me put this in the car for you. We can look at the gifts later."
He yanked the suitcase from my grip. I tried to protest, but Jade pinched the tender flesh of my arm.
Hard.
"Mom, stop being difficult, okay?" she hissed. "Even if I was wrong today, I'm begging you—give me some face. If you have a problem, we can talk about it behind closed doors at home."
I ripped my arm free, pulled out my phone, and hit record.
"Fine. Pay me back the money I used over the last seven years to pay your mortgage. Otherwise, don't speak to me."