It’s my turn to answer.“I don’t think it will be intentional, but you know Levi.The second he smells something suspicious; he will be all over her for answers.Plus, does his mom normally take flights across the country by herself?”
“Good point.I’ll text her.”
“No, no, don’t stress her out.Let her enjoy lunch with her son.”
“Okay, and where do you guys want to go?”
Callie turns towards me, her head peaking up over the top of the seat so we can discuss.
“Did you guys pack anything special for the show?Jan told me to dress up without saying it.”
Tim shakes his head in a way that says of course not.
“Mall?”Callie asks.
“Mall,” I agree.
Chapter 40
Levi
As my teeth sink intothe oversized sandwich I ordered, I have to lean forward so the chopped lettuce and end slice of tomato fall into the lined culinary boat it came in.My mom laughs before taking what she will surely describe as a normal-sized bite in which nothing falls out.
It took longer than I thought it would to get over to her hotel with everything that happened with Gabriella, and then traffic, but we’re here now.I stare at the fenced outdoor patio of the sandwich shop towards the Santa Monica Pier off in the distance.
“So...”My mom cuts through my thoughts.
“So?”I counter.
“I’m here!Did you ever think you would see the day?”
I open my sandwich in attempt to stuff some of the roughage back in, only to find there is roughage in excess.I level it and close it back up again.“No, I didn’t.Last I heard, you were afraid to fly, and now you just hop on a plane across the country all by yourself.”
Her mouth drops a bit before she quickly fills it with a sandwich.We argued on the ride over that she 100 percent said Tim’s name.She responded by telling me I need to get some sleep and maybe start to see what’s-her-name again.Then I reminded her for probably the millionth time that her name is Tina.Tina’s been my therapist since high school and has helped me navigate my crippling panic attacks, but Mom somehow still refers to her as what’s-her-name.
“Mm-hmm,” she says, nodding her head.“Wild.”Once she manages to swallow her food, she continues “What else is going on?I haven’t seen you in a couple weeks.How’s your fiancée?”
