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Jamie is the last person I need my mom setting her sights on for me. “I’m not dating Sammy’s dad. I’m dating Tim.”
“Tim Ferris,” she exclaims again like I just told her I won Powerballwiththe kicker. “Missy, I’m so proud of you for making this happen.Howdid you make this happen?”
If I tell her we met on a dating app, she’ll lecture me about all the creeps on the internet—like I can’t figure out that MrDong isn’t looking for actual love. So, I lie. “We ran into each other at the grocery store.”
“Love in the produce aisle …” I can just see her clutching her hands in front of her heart while staring at the ceiling in rapture like God Himself is waving to her.
“I’m leaving the store at ten thirty,” I tell her. “I should be back by two or three.”
“Nonsense,” she says. “You sleep in tomorrow so you can look your best, and don’t you worry about coming to the store afterward. You and Tim just have a nice afternoon.”
I’m one hundred percent certain my mother will spend the entirety of tomorrow planning my country club wedding to her idea of my perfect mate. This confirms that I don’t want to be around her. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll see you on Tuesday then.”
“Call me tomorrow after your date.”No.“Let me know every little thing.”Not going to happen.“I love you!”
“I love you, too, Mom. Thanks.”
“Thank YOU, honey …” I disconnect the call before we can carry on with this ridiculous conversation. I should have just called in sick, but instead I unleashed the Margie beast. Now that she knows about Tim, he’s all we’re going to talk about—either until he dumps me, or we get married. I feel sick.
I get up off the couch and gather my uneaten food to put in the refrigerator. Then I decide to take a long bath. I’m about to step into the bubbles when my phone rings again. Caller ID says it’s a 312 number.Who the heck is calling me from Chicago?
“Hello?” My tone is borderline hostile.
“Melissa.” Sweet Jesus, it’s Jamie. What in the world does he want?
“Jamie,” I counter.
“I just wanted to call and thank you for going to the mall with me and Sammy. She hasn’t stopped talking about it since we dropped you off.”
“Oh. You’re welcome. I enjoy spending time with her.”Not you, you grumpy-face.
“She’s had such a hard year. That really makes your kindness extra appreciated.”
“Well, I know what it’s like to be a twelve-year-old girl, and believe me, it’s no piece of cake.”
He grunts in the affirmative before saying, “I signed the offer on the house. We should find out if we have it by tomorrow.”
Great, bring up the house.I’ll never be able to drive down that road again without reliving the kiss between us. That amazingly hot, sexy, melt-my-bones kiss. My knees start to feel weak, so I sit down on the edge of the tub. “Good luck,” I tell him.
“About this morning …” he begins.
“Nothing happened. It’s all forgotten.”Pleasedon’t talk about this morning.
“About this morning …” It’s like he doesn’t hear me. “I should not have kissed you back. I’m sorry.”
“Right. So, you’ve already told me.” This man makes me so mad I want to scream.
“It wasn’t fair to you,” he continues like he’s Thor and I’m some stupid little earthling crushing on a god.
“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re obviously attracted to me, and I don’t want to mislead you about my feelings or intentions.”
“Lead me on? Hey, buddy, I’m not sure if you remember, but you kissed the hell out of meafterI kissed you, so it’s clear you want me too.”
“You’re a very nice woman, Melissa, but nothing is going to happen between us.” Why is he telling me this again?
“I’m sure I’ll recover,” I say as sarcastically as I can.
