Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“Ooh, yes. Do tell,” Mom says eagerly, turning her attention to me. “Maggie told me about Evan last we talked… Do you want to talk about it?”
“Thanks for this,” I deadpan, promising Maggie with my eyes that I will absolutely take the last cup of coffee and not start a fresh pot next week as payback for her getting both mothers on our cases.
“Nothing really to tell right now,” I answer.
Of course, she doesn’t have any big news on the dating front. I do, but I’m not sharing that with Mom. In some ways, I’d like to. I think she’d be horrified that Dylan is my boss, but I think she’d actually like Dylan himself if she got to know him the way I do. But the risks outweigh the rewards of spilling, so I stay tight-lipped about it for now.
“I’m keeping my focus on work,” I tell Mom, which is basically the truth. Or close to it. I mean, Dylan is kinda part of work… except when he’s not.
Thankfully, our food comes a few minutes later and we get lost in talking about how delicious it is, trying each other’s entrees. Mom in particular never sniffs around my social life again during dinner, and after the meal is done, we step out into the chilly night air.
"I’m heading home tonight, so I’d best be going,” Melinda says, giving us each a hug. “It was so good to see you, and thanks again for letting me invade your mother-daughter dinner,” she tells Mom.
“Anytime,” Mom says. “Great to see you too.” We watch as Melinda hails a taxi, climbs in, and disappears into the night. Mom turns to me. “My train leaves bright and early in the morning, so I’m probably going to crash, if that’s okay?”
“Sure, Mom. I’ll come back to the hotel with you,” I offer, but she waves me off.
“No, you two go out and have fun. I know it’s still early for you city folks.” She winks as though she’s in on our secret of being up-all-night party animals, which neither of us is.
But…
“If you’re sure, Mom. I don’t mind crashing into bed and taking you to the train station early in the morning,” I try again, just so I can say I made a fair effort even though I’m hoping she doesn’t want me to go with her.
“You’re gonna make me say it, aren’t you, Raven?” She tilts her head, her lips pursed. I blink, not sure what she’s talking about. She sighs. “There is a big, fluffy bed in that hotel room with my name on it. One I don’t have to share, where I can’t hear anyone snoring, and where I can sleep totally naked if I have a middle of the night hot flash and nobody will care. So leave me to it, sweetheart, and go have your fun.”
My jaw drops open in surprise and then I laugh. “Well, okay, then. Good night, Mom. Call me when you get home tomorrow so I know you’re safe.”
She gives me a wry look. “That’s my line. Except do not call me tonight when you get home. I will be blissfully sleeping." I hold up a hand, not wanting to hear any more about her nude sleeping plans, and she chuckles. “You just wait. One day, you’ll know what I’m talking about. A big bed all to yourself is a gift and I’m not wasting it.”
“I’m sure Dad would love to hear that,” I deadpan, and Mom laughs.
“You think he doesn’t know, and wouldn’t do the same thing? I’m the one dealing with the hot flashes. He’s the one dealing with me.” With that, we say our goodbyes and I put Mom into a taxi headed for the hotel. She smiles, waving as they pull away.
“You coming home then, or…?” Maggie asks, raising a brow.
I twist my lips, thinking, and then sigh. “Yeah, I don’t want to do the late night ‘you up?’ text thing, you know?” Honestly, I do want to do that. But I’m not sure I should.
She links her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s spoil ourselves then and get a taxi too. My treat.”
“You’re the best,” I say, laying my head on her shoulder. “This almost makes up for your getting our moms on our cases about our dating life.”
Maggie huffs out a dry laugh. “Whatever, you love me.”
I nod because she’s right, I do love her. I especially love that she doesn’t give me a single bit of shit as I pull out my phone the second we’re sitting in the taxi and doesn’t say a word as I text Dylan even though I literally just said I wasn’t going to do that.
CHAPTER 18
DYLAN
Sometimes, I’m still a little shocked at how far I’ve come. I grew up not having a bed to myself until I was in college, and the first pair of brand-new, off the rack jeans I ever owned came during my sophomore year. Until then, everything I owned was a hand me down or thrift store special.