“Hey, Mom—”
“Did you get my text about Michael?”
“Text?”
“Yes, honey, I sent you a text this morning.”
I rubbed my eyes as I tried to keep up with her rambling. She spoke up.
“Your father and I bumped into Michael at that new little coffee house near his resort yesterday. He said you were due back today, and he offered to host our charity event next month at his resort in Aspen.”
“Oh, yeah, I got that text.”
“Did you thank Michael?”
“I told him thank you, yes.”
“That was so nice of him.”
“Yeah. Listen, I’m still beyond exhausted and jetlagged. I just wanted to see if you can get me reservations at the new restaurant in Aspen for tomorrow.”
“Sawyer, sweetie, you know you can go to any of them at any time. Is it for you and a girl?” Her voice grew in excitement.
“A girl? Mom, I’m thirty-two. It would be a woman at this point.”
“I don’t know why you’ve never taken any of your dates to our restaurants before. You know we’re highly rated and people rave about our food and service.”
“Yes, yes. I know, I know. The other women are just dates. Nothing special. This one is different—”
“And special! Sawyer, this is so exciting!”
I groaned and flopped back in bed.
“No, Mom, you’re not listening to me.”
“I’m listening, sweetie.”
“She’s not really a date. She’s a friend who also happens to work for Michael.”
“I see.” Her voice bordered a pacifying tone. “Okay, so I’ll make sure a lovely table for two is ready for you and your lady friend—”
“Mom—”
“Who is not your date. Yes, yes, Sawyer. I have it all down. What time, sweetie?”
“Seven.”
“It’ll be all set. This is so exciting!”
“Mom!”
“Yes, yes… not a date.”
“Thank you. Okay, now I’m hanging up and going to sleep.”
“Get some sleep, sweetie.”
I ended the call and set the phone on the nightstand before drifting off to sleep.
