“And who told you?”
“Yeah, who told you?” Brooks asks.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I ask. I don’t need Brooks hearing all of this and running to tell the guys.
“I’m right where I need to be.” He grins at me.
The fucker.
“The woman who is the instructor. Her friend’s son’s girlfriend works at The Hotspot and said she saw you there with a man that you looked quite cozy with.”
“Fuck me,” I groan.
“Said she heard you call the young man your boyfriend.”
This is one of the downsides to small towns and running my business. We’re the only Christmas tree farm for at least three towns.
Meaning everyone comes from miles away to get their fresh trees at the Naughty Pine. I know most of the customers, and they recognize me.
Something I didn’t even think about when going out with Ollie.
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself?” she asks. “I didn’t think you did relationships.”
It’s not like I can tell my mother it was all a ruse. That would not go over well.
“Look, Mom,” I say gently. “We weren’t telling anyone because it’s new.”
“That’s what you tell strangers. Not your mother. You tell your mother when you’re dating someone.”
“Mom.” I shove my hand through my hair, pulling at the strands. Maybe it’ll help me not be annoyed with her.
“Don’t youMomme, Hunter,” she says. “I want to meet this young man.”
“Mom. That’s not taking things slow.”
“Bring him by for dinner tonight.”
“I have to work.”
“Nonsense.” She looks at Brooks behind her. “Can you handle things tonight?”
A Cheshire-cat grin is on his face. “Oh, I can absolutely cover so Hunter can take his boyfriend over to meet you.”
I subtly flip him off before my mom notices.
“Good.” Mom walks over and pecks me on the cheek. “I expect to see you at seven. Do not be late, Hunter.”
“It was nice to see you, Mrs. Wells,” Brooks calls out as she leaves in a whiff of vanilla-scented perfume.
“You too, dear.”
“I really need to get better help,” I tell Brooks.
“You love me.” He takes his seat and gets back to work.
Ugh. If only he wasn’t such a good friend and the best employee I have, I’d fire him. But it’s not like he could stop my mother. Hell, she’d convince even the scariest security guard to let her back to my office.
With a tidbit likeI have a boyfriend, nothing would stop her.
