“Well, then I guess I’ll have that too.”
“Or…” I tapped the ravioli dish that had caught my eye since they updated their menu but that I’d never been brave enough to venture outside my comfort zone for. “You could get this and we can share.”
“Perfect.” He reached across the table and took my hand in his. “We’ll do that.”
I ate far too much bread as we chatted, waiting for our meals to come. It was crusty and warm and the butter was made in-house. More than once I’d filled up on the bread and took most of my meal home. Zero regrets.
I was about to grab another slice when the worst possible thing that could have happened, happened. Fine. Not theworstworst. The place didn’t explode. Aliens didn’t come down and suck us up into their spaceship. But as far as things you don’t want to happen on your date, this topped it.
My mother walked in and came straight over to me. How did she know I was here? But she did and came directly to my table with a scowl that could terrify even the bravest soul.
Please don’t let her scare away Lincoln.
“I don’t understand why you’re here.” She didn’t so much as glance at Lincoln.
“Me?” I wanted to die.
Mom, I mouthed to Lincoln, and he leaned back, letting me deal with the situation.
“I’m on a date with my boyfriend, Lincoln. You can go, Mom.” He was so much more than a boyfriend, but the term would have to do for the meanwhile. I couldn’t exactly jump in with the mate thing.
“I did not pick this Lincoln.” She didn’t even look at him, just waved a hand in his direction. “I take my time finding you the right man.”
That was laughable.
“Mom, you can leave now. We’re not having this discussion. You do not take your time for any of the dates you set up for me, you just pick random guys connected to your circles. But even if you did, it’s not your call on who I do or do not date. Don’t pretend like you don’t know where I stand on this. I love you, Mom, but you need to go now.” I wasn’t playing games tonight, of all nights.
“If you want to call me up and complain to me tomorrow, have at it.” I pointed to the door.
“Like you’ll answer the phone.”
“I’ll answer the phone. Mom, leave.” The only time I ignored her calls was at work or when I was driving. Never simply to dodge her. This wasn’t the time for that discussion. People were starting to notice her little scene.
To my surprise, she left, just like that.
“Sorry about that.” I wanted to hide under the table.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything back,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what to say or what would make it worse.”
He’d made the right call. Fueling her wouldn’t have ended well.
“You were great. She would have made a scene.”
“She already did,” he whispered.
“I know, but it could have been worse. Trust me. No wine was thrown, no faces were slapped.”
“You sound like your life is a TV drama.”
“It’s not, but I may have gotten those ideas from there. She just would’ve gotten loud and embarrassing."
We both laughed as our food was served, but it kind of messed up the entire rest of the date. My mind kept wandering back to my mom and what tomorrow was going to bring, and I was sure his did, too. But for now, the two of us ate delicious food. The ravioli was just as good as the spaghetti.
We skipped dessert, our bellies too full, and went home to my place, where we spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms, neither of us bringing up the M-word, Mother.
She was just going to have to figure it out, because nothing she could say or do was going to change the fact that I was going to be with Lincoln. I wasn’t sure why she cared. I did exactly what she had been asking for all this time. I found someone. And if that wasn’t good enough for her, she was going to have to get over it, because Lincoln was here to stay.
13
