Riley pulled away and met her gaze.“But you like Simon?”
“He’s very nice, yes.”
“And he’s a good dad.Sally says so.”
“Yes, I suppose he is.”
“And—”
“And, now that you aren’t going out with dad for dinner, what do you think we should do?Eat on the ferry, or wait for a sailing and grab some dinner in Vancouver near the terminal?We could even see if we can find you a book at that little bookstore we went to a few months ago.”
“Mom,” said Riley, “I think you do like Simon, and Sally says he likes you.”
“Riley.You talked me into getting kittens, and Simon has been very nice about it all, but please don’t…”
“Don’t…?”Her daughter tilted her head and waited for her to continue.
“Don’t get involved in my relationships.I told you I’m not interested.”
“But Dad is married again.”
“Yes, he is.”
“And he’s not coming back.Sally and I have been talking about it.”
“No, he’s not.Now, tell me, what do you want to do about dinner?”
“So, what if you and Simon, you know… start dating?”
“We aren’t dating, Riley.We are just sharing cats.”
“But what if you start something and then it ends?Do we have to give the cats back?Would I still be able to play with Sally?”
“Riley, if I start dating, I promise I will be careful,” Sarah said quietly.“You and your relationship with Sally are important.I won’t gamble with that.And right now I’m not looking for a boyfriend.”
“But—”
“Riley.I am fine on my own.I have you.I have Grandma.I have my job.Don’t worry about it.”
“And Dash.”
“Yes, and Dash.”
“You aren’t going to make me send Dash back?”
“Not if he’s well taken care of.”
Riley hugged her again.“Thanks, Mom.”
Sarah hugged her back and played their conversation over in her mind.What had just happened?
Sarah had just committed to keeping the cat in exchange for Riley not talking anymore about her dating life.She had again been played.Sarah thought, not for the first time, that her daughter had a good career in negotiations or law if she wanted it.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“If you ever did want to date?—”
