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“What d’you think, Dr. Matt?”
“Well, if he cares about you, he’ll be jealous. No man likes to think that his woman could have fun with another man. But then if he really,reallycares about you, he should learn to trust you. Assuming you’re on your best behavior with the others, he’ll come back, grumbling or apologizing.”
“Hmm…” Mia frowned and studied her empty plate, thinking. “Dr. Matt, would you be upset if Mom went to a conference alone?”
“Of course not.” He shook his head vehemently.
“Not a simple conference. Let’s assume it’s a big business ball with drinks and dance, but she can’t take you. Would you resent her?”
“No,” he blurted, then frowned. “To be honest, I wouldn’t be thrilled about it and would hope she wouldn’t meet any gorgeous womanizers. I’d grill her with questions when she came back. Then, I’d forget about it,if nothing happened.”
Brenda analyzed every word he said and stored it in her memory, while at the same time admiring his complete honesty with Mia.
“All right. I’ll promise that I’ll never flirt with another boy. I hope Cody will trust me.”
***
On homecoming day, Brenda drove Mia to her beauty salon where they spent two hours getting a pedicure, a manicure and having their hair styled. Her daughter declared herself totally satisfied with her smooth shining curls cascading down her back and shoulders.
At home, Mia slipped into a black silk dress with a round neckline, long, lacy sleeves, and a ruffle mid-thigh, skimming the hem. She accessorized it with three-inch black pumps and a beaded purse. With the right makeup highlighting her eyes and cheeks, she looked lovely.
Proud of her daughter, Brenda snapped several pictures.
“Let’s go, Mom,” Mia prompted. “We have to pick up Emily and her younger brother. Their parents will drive me back tonight.”
“You’re sure?”Brenda would prefer to pick her up, but she understood her friend’s parents wanted to carpool.
“Yes, I’m sure. Please, hurry up. I don’t want to arrive late.”
“Text me when you can. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yes, Mom,” Mia answered exasperated.
Emily lived ten minutes away. The girl and her brother waited at the front door and sprinted to the car as soon as Brenda stopped in the driveway.
“Have fun, sweetie,” Brenda smiled as she watched the kids join their schoolmates. Several adults, teachers, and chaperons followed them into the building.
Reassured, Brenda returned home, changed into a knee-length, silver jersey dress with sequin beading at the waist, and waited for Matt.
He arrived a few minutes later for their evening at the ballet. “Wow, you look gorgeous.” He brought her hand to his lips. “I don’t want to mess up your hair.”
“Don’t worry about my hair.” Delighted with his compliment, she beamed. “You look great.”
In a dark blue suit and light blue shirt, he would attract his share of feminine stares.
She entwined her fingers around his neck. He laughed and caught her mouth in a searing kiss.
“How’s Mia?”
“You should have seen her, Matt. She was so pretty. Look.” She showed him pictures on her phone. “I told her to text me.”
“We’ll be back long before her party ends,” Matt reassured her as she opened the front door.
“I’m not picking her up. We took Emily and her brother with us on the way in. Their parents are in charge of the return.”
Her silver purse strapped to her shoulder, she locked the door and took the hand he offered her to walk to the car.
***
