She smirked. “I was never aStar Warsfan, darling.”
He grinned, then shoveled lo mein from the carton into his mouth.
“Well, your friendBeanzis in love with you. There, I said it,” she stated.
“You’re crazy. She’s just a kid.”
“She’s not a kid anymore. She’s an attractive young woman. I was about her age when I met your father, and love is love, they say.”
“I don’t think they mean it the way you think they do.”
“Nevertheless, it’s true. She’s in love with you, and you’re in love with Pemberley. But I promise you, there’s true love—with a person—out there.”
“One day. Not today. My career is important.”
“See, youarein love with Pemberley.”
“Dad says that if—”
“For now, ignore your father and listen to your mother. He and I see things a little differently when it comes to yourhappiness and future.” She placed a hand on his knee. “There’s someone special I want you to meet.”
“No.”
She shook her head and smiled. “Yes. I know you better than anyone, and I know, for a fact, this girl is perfect for you.”
“It’s not gonna happen. Between finishing my illustration for the juried show and working sixty-hour weeks with Dad, there’s no time for dating.”
“We’ll see.” She smiled, then bit into an egg roll.
“This is unlike you to try to set me up. What gives?”
“Nothing. She’s someone I adore and ... I’m not going to live forever, you know. I want to see you happy with a girl who’ll be good to you and make you laugh. Besides, I want grandbabies.”
“Jeez, you’re only forty-five. That’s way too young to be a grandmother.”
“Still, I’m a planner, and you never know what the Master Planner has in store.”
“So, what you’re saying is that on the off chance you croak early, I should either meet this chick and get busy baby making with her or activate the benefits part with Beanz as soon as possible.”
Completely out of character, his mother cringed. “No! God forbid.Thatgirl is completely wrong for you. Your father would disagree with me for dissuading you from a relationship with String Bean, given his investments with her father, but in my opinion, she’s not suited to my son’s disposition. Lizzy is.”
“What makes you think this Lizzy person would be perfect for me?”
“I just know. Call it a mother’s intuition.”
Clearly stressed out, the pink-haired department secretary stormed into the classroom, nearly toppling over an easel in her haste. “He’s not coming!”
“Who dear?”
“Your model. I swear, these boomer art posers are so irresponsible. Ache this, pain that. This one claimed explosive diarrhea! Ew! TMI!” She rolled her eyes. “Now what am I going to do? I can’t find a replacement for your next class on such short notice! The department head is going to have my ass for this!”
His mother gave him a humored look before addressing the girl’s meltdown.
“Let’s consider the positives. It’s better than cleaning up after the poor fellow. Take a breath, Camden. Don’t worry. I have the perfect figure model seated right in front of me.”
“What?” he cried. “No way!”
“Please, darling, do it for me?” she begged with a smile he couldn’t say no to but tried anyway.
