AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Got another job. Heading there now. See you around.”
Her annoyed sigh gets cut off when I flip my phone shut. I drop it in the cupholder and back out of the driveway.
Thoughts of my hook up slide away on the warm breeze drifting through my open windows. Instead, an image of Paige bending over my lap as she reaches for my clipboard fills my thoughts.
It’s about the money. This is all about the money.
But even in my mind, the words don’t sound convincing.
Chapter Six
Paige
“I’m just not sure about this, sweetheart.”
I tap my fingers on the granite island and breathe deeply through my nose. “Not sure about what, Mother?”
“Oh god. Don’t call me ‘Mother.’ It makes me feel like I’m some 1950s housewife.” My mom glares at me from the other side of the kitchen where she’s washing her hands in the big farmhouse sink.
I fight a smile. Good to know I haven’t lost my ability to ruffle her feathers. “Okay. Not sure about what, Ma’am?”
“That’s even worse!” She flicks water at me before reaching for a dishtowel.
I dodge the droplets, still attempting to keep a curious, innocent expression. “Well, I don’t know what you want. I’m running out of options here. How about Matron? Dowager? Biddy?”
“That’s it!” She lunges back for the sink, slams the faucet on, pulls out the hose, and aims it at me.
Cold water shoots across the room, soaking the entire front of my shirt. I gasp and try to run but end up slamming into a solid object. When I glare up at the obstruction, I realize it’s my dad.
He shakes his head at the two of us. “Ginny, are you abusing our daughter?”
“She called me ‘Ma’am’!” My mom’s attempt at indignation is ruined by her giggling. You’d think a woman over fifty would have a bit more gravitas.
“Thank heavens you’re here, Dad. She’s gone mad!” I wave at the giant water stain down my front. Not that I need to, seeing as how our collision ended up transferring a good deal of the water to his polo shirt.
“Now we’re going to be late. I have to go change.” Someone unacquainted with my dad might interpret his dry tone as anger, but my mom and I can see the amused sparkle in his eye. Dad loves Mom’s childish antics.
“Oh, don’t bother. It’s just water. We’ll open the car windows and you’ll be dry by the time we arrive.”
The two of them have plans for an afternoon of sailing on a family friend’s boat. I was invited.
I said no.
Sailing might’ve been fun, but the idea of dealing with pity stares turns my stomach worse than seasickness could. I’m not ready to be the center of everyone’s gossip.
Besides, I have an important appointment. One that I was hoping my mom would let be. That was too much to ask for.
“Richard, could you please back me up here.”
“Don’t back her! Back me, Dad!”
He glances between the two of us. “I’m going to need some more information.”
My mom huffs in frustration, and I scowl at her, knowing I’m not going to like what she’s about to say.
“We’re talking aboutthe dog.”
“She has a name!”
