Page 69 of Power Play

For a few seconds, I imagined ordering either one.

Ryan had made pancakes two mornings earlier because he claimed the mix in his cupboard was about to expire. I ate most of one while he argued about poetry from the stove, and he never commented on how slowly I finished it or asked whether I wanted another. That had made eating easier somehow, although I couldn’t explain why.

“The Benedict looks good,” I said.

My mother’s gaze lowered to the menu.

“It does.”

Something in the softness of her answer made my spine tighten.

She turned the page.

“The salmon here is beautiful too. They serve it with cucumber and dill.”

I looked back at the Benedict.

“The salmon sounds good.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Crystal smiled. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”

When the server returned, I ordered the salmon.

My mother thanked him politely and turned back toward me without seeming to notice that my choice had changed. The morning I’d spent studying every inch of my body had already erased most of my appetite anyway.

“How is Professor Brown?” she asked.

“Better than I expected.”

“That sounds cautious.”

I smiled. “I got an A on my last paper.”

Her expression brightened.

“You did?”

“Yesterday.”

“Oh, Charmagne, that’s wonderful. I knew you would figure it out.”

Approval warmed me before I had any chance to resist it.

“Your father will be thrilled.”

My fingers tightened around the handle of the teacup.

“I haven’t told him yet.”

“Why?”

“I just got it yesterday.”

“You should call him tonight. He was worried when you said the interpretation portion wasn’t coming naturally.”