Her mischievous smile wanes. “You’re so boring.”
“Thank you. My question is this: what happened to Chance’s mom? I’ve met his brothers and his dad but not her.” I want to tell her about Chance’s reaction last night but that feels too private.
“You’ve met the whole family? When?”
Oh, shit. I didn’t tell her about the girlfriend thing. That was Nat. Before I can think of a plausible reason that’s not the truth, she raises a hand.
“Hold that thought, though.” She glances at the wall clock. “Madam Sales will be back soon.”
I refuse to let my nerves about that get in the way. “Mm-hm,” I prompt.
“Chance’s mom is dead.”
My heart drops into my stomach. “What?”
Nat nods. “Everyone knows it. She’s been gone for many years. Close to fifteen, if I have my facts correct.”
“Oh. That’s… sad.”
“Yep.”
But it’s also been so long. I have no idea what it means to lose a parent, but Nat does since her dad passed on when she was in high school. Yet, she speaks about him without growing sad.
Why did Chance react that way?
“Do you know what happened to her?”
“I heard she was diabetic and that’s what killed her.”
“That’s all?”
Julia frowns. “Yes. Is something wrong?”
I shake my head quickly. “No, I’m just curious.”
“Oops.” Julia catches my arm and pulls me toward the door. “Time’s up.”
We’re rounding the corner when I see the head of sales coming from the other direction.
Her eyes meet mine and I tear my gaze away and hurry to keep up with Julia. “There’s no way she’d know we’ve been in her office, right?” I whisper.
“Of course not.” She leans into me and sniffs.
“What are you doing?”
“Just smelling you.”
“And?” I eye her profile.
“I’m just saying the only way you’ll get into trouble is if she smells you in her office.”
“What?”
“Your perfume stands out.”
“No.” I lift the curve of my inner elbow to my nose. “It does not.”
“That’s how I know you and”—she sends a gaze around us as if to make sure we’re out of earshot—“the boss are getting cozy.”
