Page 56 of Chasing Amanda

But Patricia Johnson was silent.

“What rational person wouldn’t be proud?” Amanda finally asked. “Of course I’m proud of Mark. Your son…my boyfriend, is a hero.”

“Yeah!” The word came from somewhere behind her.

Suddenly, people applauded.

Mrs. Johnson’s face flushed.

Mark groaned, dropping his head and rubbing the back of his neck.

Maybe she’d embarrassed him, but he was a hero, and the world should know it.

Amanda leaned down and spoke just loudly enough for the horrible woman to hear. “You know nothing about me. But after this meal, I know you. You’re a fool, and you’re missing the best thing in your life.”

She straightened and looked at Hayden, whose eyes were wide with shock. “Thank you for lunch.”

“It’s been”—his lips tipped up in the barest smile—“a pleasure.”

Patricia was spluttering at her husband, but Amanda paid her no attention as she turned and walked beside Mark.

The sound of applause followed them to the exit.

Amanda was trembling—with rage or victory, she wasn’t sure. She drove east, unsure where she should go, where Mark wanted her to take him. Much as she’d like to, she didn’t think she ought to head south to Rhode Island, considering his parents lived north in New Hampshire.

They needed to think and regroup and breathe.

Was he mad at her? He hadn’t said a word since they’d left the restaurant. At a straightaway on the winding two-lane road, she shot a look in his direction.

He was smiling. “That was amazing. I am worried, though.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have⁠—”

“I thought you were smarter than that.”

Fear sent acid to her stomach. “You’re right. I should’ve⁠—”

“A smarter woman would’ve run screaming, leaving my mother—and me—far behind.”

She opened her mouth to apologize again, then changed tack. “You’re messing with me? Now?”

“Do you have any survival instincts at all?”

Amanda chuckled, the sound as lighthearted as it was shocking, considering the circumstances. “You know your mom better than I do. What do you think? Does she like me?”

He barked a laugh. “I can’t believe you did that. You called me courageous? That was awe-inspiring. I’ve seen grown men cower at weaker attacks.”

She would’ve cowered, too, if the dragon lady had satisfied herself by criticizing Amanda. But the way the woman had ripped into Mark was unacceptable.

Now that there were some miles between them, though…

She groaned.

What had she done? She didn’t make scenes. She didn’t stand up to bullies or didn’t call people on their nonsense. She brushed people’s stuff under the rug and served them cookies. That was Amanda’s MO.

“Is that the ocean?” Mark peered between two buildings at the expanse of water, sounding impressed all over again. “Good navigating, sweetheart. Pull in up there.” He pointed to a lot, and she found a spot overlooking Revere Beach. Though a few puffy clouds floated overhead, the sky was mostly blue, the air in the seventies.

After she parked, she left her hands on the wheel and breathed, trying to come to terms with what had happened.