“You went on a date with some guy you met on the internetandyou let him pick you up at your house?” I enunciate each word carefully because if I don’t, I’m going to lose my mind. This conversation is turning into a nightmare.
“Would you relax?” Mama pats my arm. “It wasn’t our first date. What kind of idiot do you take me for?” Before I can answer, she continues. “Richard and I have been dating for nearly two months.”
WHAT?
She’s been dating this guy for two months and hasn’t told us? Miles, Beck, and I are here every Sunday for dinner. Every. Sunday. No exceptions. How could she keep something like this—something so important—from us?
I open my mouth to ask, but she holds up a hand. “And before you ask, I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want the third degree from you boys.”
This must be someFreaky Fridayshit because this cannot be my real life.
Mama Hart doesn’t date. And she doesn’t keep secrets. None of this is making any sense. Is this my fault somehow? Have I been too caught up in the Epos launch to pay attention to what the hell is going on in my own family?
You’re not the only one she didn’t tell.
That Miles and Beck are also in the dark is of little consolation.
“You know, I rather enjoyed not being tethered to my phone tonight,” Mama says. “You should try it sometime. It was quite refreshing to have a conversation without the constant interruption of text messages and all those social media apps you boys like pinging.”
Is she— Is she seriously lecturing me about phone etiquette right now?
“You scared me half to death,” I say through gritted teeth. “When the alarm company couldn’t get you on the phone, they called me. I got here as soon as I could.”
She smiles and cups my cheek, the way she did when I was little. “Well, as you can see, I’m just fine. You worry too much, Nicholas. You always have.”
The officer clears his throat. “If y’all don’t need me, I’ll just be heading out.”
“Thank you, Officer—” Mama squints at his name badge. “Mason. I sure do appreciate you stopping by to check on me. I apologize for any inconvenience my alarm may have caused.”
“No problem, ma’am.” He dips his chin in a show of respect. “Y’all have a good night.”
We watch as he retreats to his car and slides in behind the wheel.
When the engine roars to life and the cruiser pulls away from the curb, Mama turns to Scarlett and me. “Is it me or did Officer Mason have a nice butt?”
I just stare at her, unable to produce words, but Scarlett giggles like she can’t believe my mom was checking out the officer’s ass. That makes two of us. The guy was half her age.
I wonder what Richard would make of that.
Scratch that. I don’t want to know what Richard thinks. I don’t want to consider Richard—or the fact that my mother is dating—at all.
It’s too bizarre.
“I always did love a man in uniform.” Mama sighs and then her face brightens as she turns to Scarlett, looking her over from head to toe. “But enough about me and my love life. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lady friend, Nicholas?”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Scarlett
Mama Hart stares expectantly at Nick, the silence stretching on as she waits for an answer. An answer that doesn’t appear to be forthcoming. I steal a glance at Nick, who’s just standing there like a deer in headlights, a chilly breeze ruffling his dark hair.
Maybe he’s in shock.
The night has been a rollercoaster of activity and emotions. He slowly turns to me, and it might be a trick of the light, but he almost appears…pleading. But that can’t be right, can it?
Nick’s a man of action. I doubt he’s ever pleaded for anything. Then again, I’ve never known him to look unsure of himself, either.
And right now, he looks just as stumped as I feel.
