“Kind of? What does that mean?” Sam flashed back to being a sixteen-year-old boy himself, and what he remembered did nothing to calm him.
She sighed and glanced sideways at her grandmother. “It means he just asked me to be his girlfriend two days ago and I can only see him at school.”
Sam frowned at her. “Why?”
“Because to go on an actual date, I’d have to tell Mom, and I’m not going to do that. And neither are you.”
“What? Maya doesn’t know? Why not?” Sam liked this less and less.
“You’ve met my mom, right? She’ll freak.” She threw up her arms for effect. “I don’t know how many times I heard the story aboutherhigh school boyfriend, and the lecture she got fromNani.” She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t think you would freak. You seem—normal. Can you not tell her? I’ll tell her when I’m ready. Please?”
Sam was silent as he contemplated this. It didn’t feel right. Maya might actually freak out. But was that really a bad thing? But then, maybe the truth should come from Samantha.
“Come on, Sam. It’s not a big deal. She seems a sensible girl. Let her tell her mother in her own time.” His mother had stopped laughing.
Sam did a double take at his mother. She winked at Samantha, and Sam nearly fell over.
“Fine. As long as you do tell her.” He remembered Maya’s younger self. “No sneaking around to see him.”
“Why? Did Maya have to sneak around to see you?” His mother was enjoying this way too much. Sam did not answer.
Samantha’s eyes popped open. “Did she? Oh my God!”
“It really isn’t any of your business,” Sam growled.
His mother and his daughter feigned shock at the reprimand. Sam turned on his heel and started to walk. “Let’s go. Dad and Paigeare waiting for us.”
“Hey, Dad!”
Sam turned around and walked back to where Samantha and his mother had stayed put. “Yes?”
“Don’t you think you should call Uber or something? You can’t makeDadiwalk all the way back in the cold.”
His mother didn’t even try to hide her gloating as Sam tapped his phone and called for a car. “Smart and considerate girl we’ve got here, Sammy.”
Twenty minutes later, they exited the Uber. Sam simmered the entire trip, while Samantha and his mother found they had much in common. Not the least of which was a love of teasing Sam. They also realized that they both loved to cook.
“I taught your father how to cook. He’s pretty good.” Hema beamed.
“Really, Dad?”
“Hmm? Yeah. Why so surprised?” He narrowed his eyes at her. He really should just send Maya a text about Will.
“Samantha, let’s see what you can do. How about we cook dinner together?” Sam couldn’t believe it. His mother sounded excited to spend time with her granddaughter. When had she changed her mind?
Samantha’s whole face lit up. “That would be great,Dadi!”
Sam’s mother nodded toward the kitchen. “Go see what they have, and we’ll come up with a menu.” She grabbed Sam’s arm while Samantha entered the kitchen, greeting his father and Paige on the way. “Sam,” his mother whispered, “don’t break your daughter’s confidence by telling Maya about this Will. I’m sure it’s harmless.”
Sam stared down at his mother. “You’re enjoying her.”
“Well, yes.” His mother didn’t meet his eyes. “She’s intelligent and funny—I mean sheismy grandchild.” She shrugged her shoulders as if she had never resisted the idea. It was the first time she’d actually looked happy to be a grandmother.
Sam sighed, and agreed against his better judgment. “Okay,fine. I won’t say anything.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
MAYA
