Page 46 of Until

“I guess. Like I said, I’d rather not talk about it. Why don’t you tell me more about you?”

“Okay, what do you want to know?”

I take another sip of water as I think about what to ask him.

“Well, you know where I live, where do you live? Close by?”

“I’m uptown, by the park,” he says, then his eyes quickly shift away.

“Huh, isn’t it expensive there?” I think for a moment, and Grandma’s words play through my head again.

Sometimes people aren’t always what they seem.

“You must be a really good plumber,” I say. “I mean, you drive a Maserati. Those aren’t cheap.”

“I was just joking about uptown,” he says. “I don’t live far from here. Up… up by the diner we went to the other night. And the car is just a lease. Got a good deal on it.”

I get the feeling he’s lying to me, but I let it slide. After dealing with my mother, I’m feeling sensitive and touchy. It’s probably just that. But that also means I might say something I don’t want to say to him. I already like him too much. I don’t want to blow it.

And just as I think that I remember I need to treat my relationship with him like a job. I fold my arms in front of me, realizing I want to be alone.

“Actually, you’re right,” I say. “This really was quite a bit seeing my mother.”

He leans over and kisses my cheek, then stands up.

“I can imagine. I’m glad I got to see you, though.”

“Me too, that was a nice surprise,” I say.

After he leaves, I replay what happened with my mother. I walk down the hall like she did and into the bedrooms. My instinct tells me to make sure Grandma’s jewelry is still there, and when I check, everything looks the same.

Why did she act like that? I can’t wrap my head around her behavior.

I check the time. It’s been an hour since she left for the wrong hospital. But maybe she knows where Grandma is. I wonder if she’s going to come back like she said for that mother-daughter time and decide I’ll wait and see.

Maybe she was trying to act like what she thought a mother would act when meeting a boyfriend. I’m not sure I would call Ryan my boyfriend yet, but it’s a nice thought.

Maybe she didn’t want him to know how long it had been since she last saw me. Maybe she didn’t want him to know about all the drama in our family.

I need to stop. I’m giving her an out. I’m making excuses for her.

I look at the clock again, wondering if she’s coming back, but deep down inside, I know she’s not. Not tonight, at least. If Grandma is right, then I’ll find out soon enough what my mother really wants. I’m not looking forward to that.

CHAPTER 15

Ryan

Carina and I had been dating for several weeks. And in that time, I always chose more low-key dates and restaurants because I didn't want to be recognized.

I hated continuing the lie, but it never seemed like the right time to tell her the truth.

I felt a lot of guilt about it, and I had no doubt that Carina wasn't interested in money. But the ruse had gone on for so long that I didn't know how to stop it.

It had been a month since we started dating, and I wanted to do something special for her.

I didn't tell her what the plan was, but I asked her to dress warmly.

Valentine's Day is approaching, and it coincides with our one-month dating anniversary. Even though she still thinks I’m a plumber and not a billionaire, my plan is to go all out.

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