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Mom pulls me against her side, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “If you pick a non-subtitled one, the choice isallyours.”
My shoulders sag, knowing when to take the loss. “Pan’s Labyrinthis a masterpiece, I’ll have you know.” I arch a brow pointedly. “Can’t you see? I’meducatingyou.”
She moves off, tossing a half-melted Whopper into her mouth with a grin. “I prefer to beentertained, my love. You’re the only one in this house who’s ever enjoyed learning. And subtitles feel too much like hard work.”
Once I’ve grabbed the jug of Mom’s iced tea, along with two tall glasses, I follow after her, throwing myself onto the huge armchair I favor. I can’t help but grin when I pour two glasses of the sweet drink as she sets up for our weekly movie night.
My mother isn’t wrong. I excelled at academics in school, languages in particular, and I’ve always loved learning new things. Thanks to my uncanny ability to retain a wealth of information, I can generally pick up just about anything I put my mind to.
I’m still feeling a sense of pride following the week I’ve had at Zephyr. Organizing such a successful event and seeing Frederick take the plunge into the spotlight is something that will stay with me for a long time.
“How are you feeling about a rewatch ofWalk the Line?”
I perk up, tucking my feet beneath me as I settle in. “My own personal catnip. YouknowI’ll never say no to a hot man in a black suit!”
Having gotten everything organized, Mom stretches out on the long sofa, shooting me a knowing wink as she does. “So…how’s the love life, daughter?” Then she giggles almost girlishly. “Aside from those secret admirer letters and emails from Prince Charming that arrive every other day.”
She wriggles her eyebrows at that as I shoo her away. “You know that’s probably one of the guys catfishing me, right?”
“Being catfished at this stage is a step up, Wren. Your love life needs to up its game.”
I roll my eyes at her ribbing as I press my lips together. “Laugh it up. Just becausemineis not as healthy assomepeople I could mention.” I narrow my eyes. “HowisElliott?”
Dr. Elliott Porter is Matt’s uncle, who lives just a little farther down the beach. He’s also the first man I’ve ever seen my mom even look at twice, which has been both strange and wonderful.
He’s handsome, reserved, and minted enough to own several properties throughout the state, as well as a yacht he’s hopeful about getting Mom onto.
But most importantly, he makes her smile. And that’s all I want for her. To be happy after so long by herself.
“He’sfine.” She narrows her eyes right back as I take a sip of my tea, scrunching up my face when I realize that she didn’t add enough sugar. “But I asked you first.”
I snort. “Mom, I love you dearly, but you know I’m focusing on work right now. Everything else is secondary.”
She tosses a piece of popcorn at me with a pout. “Killjoy.”
Picking up the kernel from where it landed on my arm, I spin to face her as I pop it into my mouth with a wry grin, deciding to throw the poor woman a bone. “Okay, so I was at Oracle last week, and there was this guy.”
“Oh my God!” She claps her hands together, smiling broadly. “Deets, Wren. I need detailsnow!”
“He gave me Caden North vibes, Mom.”
I sigh wistfully and entirely too theatrically before placing my drink beside my cell on the side table.
She sits forward eagerly, well aware of my obsession with the lead singer of one of my favorite bands of all time, and I continue with wide eyes, knowing I have her right where I want her.
“One thing led to another, and…”
I trail off, building the suspense as she literally scoots to the edge of her seat. “And…well…before I knew it, I was on my knees, sucking his d—”
A fistful of popcorn cuts me off when my open-mouthed mother launches it at me, and I throw my head back, laughing as she tuts. “That hadbetterbe a lie, Wren Caputo, or so help me…”
I toss her a cheeky wink. “For what it’s worth, the carpet matched the drapes—”
Another shower of popcorn joins the first as I burst out laughing. “Okay, okay. Put on my man in black before I’m buried in kernels.”
CHAPTER3
WREN
