Crap! Crap! Crap! I looked around for some way to kill the power.
Mom looked up from the bite of angel food cake poised in front of her mouth.
“I would like to welcome everyone to the first of many Kismet Silvers events.” Applause scattered through the room.
Mom raised her eyebrows.
I admit it, I even considered throwing my high heel shoe, in hopes of knocking out the old man and shutting him up. I looked everywhere but at Mom.
“A safe dating environment for patrons fifty and up,” the man continued.
Mom’s eyes grew wide.
“I don’t know about you, but I have found it hard to meet single people with similar interests and close in age. I started this event hoping we may all find friendships and company in our aging years.” He chuckled. “I may be sixty, but I think I still have good years of life to live.” He winked at the crowd.
I was so dead.
I fidgeted in my seat.
Mom turned her body to face me, fire blazing in her eyes.
I cleared my throat. “So…how’s the cake?”
Chapter Four
“Emma Ann Woods.”Mom whisper-yelled each portion of my name. I could see the heat rising on her face.
Shoot.
I was so close.
“I can explain.” I held my hands in front of me.
“Get to it.” Her body was rigid.
My shoulders tensed—actually, I couldn’t explain. I’d thought of this moment over and over and was banking on something coming to me.
It didn’t come.
“Emma.” She growled
Looked like the truth was all I had. I sighed. “I was looking at this dating app thing and there was an ad for Kismet Silvers. It’s for fifty and up and has all sorts of activities. It looked like a blast, but I thought you wouldn’t come if you knew it was for dating.”
“You thought right,” she looked to the exit.
“Mom, come on. Just try it out…”
“Absolutely not.” Mom crossed her arms and her lips pinched in anger. “We’re leaving right now.” Her eyebrow raised, daring me to challenge her decision.“Wait.” She tipped her head back andclosed her eyes. “Do you even need help at your apartment tonight?” Her blue eyes met mine, hope barely visible.
I dipped my shoulders and shook my head.
“Wow, Em.”
I couldn’t look her in the eyes, but I had come too far to give up now. “Just give me fifteen minutes. You sit here and eat dessert.”
She eyed her plate of dessert. “To do what, exactly?”
“See if any of these men would take you to Europe or if they have horses?”
