AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That’s just stupid.
Also, not my problem.
But I remain polite. “Looks like you gotta do a little retracting then, don’t you, Vince? You think maybe your press release was jumping the gun?”
I’m pretty sure a tiny hint of amusement crosses Rake’s face.
“No, no, no,” Vince says. “Youwillgo. You will. Youmust.”
For cripes’ sake. I’m tired. And hungry. I only got two bites of lunch during the auction because people were talking to me so much.
I get to my feet and realize that while I tower over Vince Vincent, I barely come up to Rake’s shoulder. I’m considering pointing that out when my mother descends on us, throwing an arm around one of my shoulders and straining to reach her other around Rake’s.
“Look at these lovebirds, would you?” she sings. “You two make a damn good-looking couple, you know that?”
Vince beams. Rake does nothing.
I feel hopeless.
“Mom, I was just saying how this is all a mistake and that they can just give Rake to some other girl. I’m not interested.” I quickly look at him. “Nothing personal.”
He finally speaks, his voice deep and sexy. “No offense taken. We can bag it. Fine with me.”
“No, wait!” Mom screeches. “That would hurt the integrity of both my fundraising efforts and the Cable Car Museum itself. No, no, youwillgo on the date, you will.”
I’m used to my mother pressuring me into things. For example, I hadn’t wanted to come to this event today, but she told me my attendance would add ‘credibility’ to the cause.However, I’m not sure how her pushiness will go over with the giant athlete next to me.
“Mom, really—” I start to say.
But she shakes her head so hard her lacquered hair actually shifts. “No!” she says with finality. “This date is happening, and that’s the end of the discussion.”
Damn. I sneak a glance at Rake, who is equally taken aback. He says nothing, which tells me she’s run us both over, like she always does when she wants something.
Mom gets what she wants. And she really wants me to have a date with this guy.
A guy who looks like it would kill him to smile.
Yay me.
3
PETAL
“Oh my God,”I moan. “This is so good. Even if you did order it with sour cream.”
Lucy rolls her eyes. “Look. You should have been here on time. Then you can customize your burrito any way you want. I can’t be expected to remember exactly what everyone prefers in their burrito. It’s humanly impossible, which means that sometimes you will get something in your burrito that you don’t love, and you have to suck that up.”
We look at Gilly. “Mine’s… fine,” she says. “Although I did want black beans rather than refried.”
“Whatever. Next time, everyone’s ordering their own damn burrito.”
I place a hand on Lucy’s arm, but not before stealing one of her tortilla chips. “Hey, I know getting burrito orders right is a lot of pressure, and it’s easy to make a mistake. No one’s gonna get it right one hundred percent of the time,” I say with my best serious face. “We still love you though, Lu.”
Gilly looks like she’s about to choke on her Dos Equis.
Lucy sighs. “Some things in life are a huge challenge. I never thought I’d have to confront my biggest one right here in TacoLand, in the heart of the Mission district.”
I pat her on the back. “It’s okay. Just don’t do it again. I hate sour cream in my burrito. Like hate it. Even more than camel toe.”
