Colette’s mom and my mom are besties, and I’m sure me and the Girl Squad hadn’t even closed out the check at dinner before my mom had found out about the mystery man.
Mom:Are you coming home tonight?
Mom:You can’t keep working late.
Mom:Men don’t like it when you don’t treat them like they’re the most important thing in your life.
Mom:Even though I volunteer mornings at the library, I always make sure your father has breakfast and a lunch to heat up.
Mom:Your boyfriend is going to break up with you if you don’t prioritize him.
My forehead thunks down on my desk.
For a second there, I was contemplating just telling the truth.
But I will never be able to look my mom in the face again if she finds out I’ve been lying about a boyfriend.
Lulu snorts from her pillow on the floor.
Dani:We’re going to grab a quick bite.
Mom:Order a salad.
Mom:You don’t eat enough vegetables.
Mom:And send your father and I a photo!
Mom:I’m starting to think this man doesn’t even exist.
Mom:What kind of man won’t let his girlfriend send her own mother a photo of him?
Dani:Mom, we are not engaged.
Mom:But you’re heading that way, aren’t you?
Mom:I was pregnant with your brother when I was your age.
Sure, Mom—I toss the phone in my bag—tell me you’re disappointed in me without telling me you’re disappointed in me.
I should move out. I close out of the pitch deck I was tinkering around on and start looking at condos. I don’t have enough saved, though. And though my parents happily forkedover money for my brother to buy a place, no such offer has ever come for me.
I have neither a rich, generous boyfriend nor rich, generous parents.
I should have been born with a penis.
I steal a glance at the break room where Craig with aKis filling up on coffee before making his security rounds. Okay, he’s definitely not buying a two-bedroom two-bath condo with a big kitchen in a doorman building in Manhattan, but he is a man who is employed.
Dad bods are in, right?
He looks up, and his dark eyes meet mine.
I gulp and give a half wave. “Just heading out. Have a good evening!”
His gaze sits on me a little too long before he gives a slow nod. “Evening.”
The pizza placearound the corner sells slices for a dollar starting at 11:30 p.m., and yes, I need to actually start my New Year’s resolution to get healthy, but I’ve had a stressful day, okay?
One of the VPs screamed at me.
