Page 45 of Company Ink

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, whatever." I nod towards the server that's walking towards our table. "Do you know what you want?"

"Yes. I looked at the menu on the way here. I'm having the butter chicken."

"Really? Out of all of these items—" I wave my hand across the menu. "You're going to get butter chicken? You always order that."

My mom shrugs. "I know what I like," she says flatly.

If it were up to Mom, she'd eat rice and butter for the rest of her life. We place our orders and I ask the server to bring me an extra veggie samosa in a take-out container. The reviews say that they are the best in the city.

"So, what's this news you wanted to share?" I ask after our waters arrive.

My mom smiles while taking a deep breath. "Well, your father and I are going to—"

My cell phone buzzes. "Hold on, sorry. It's work."

Adrian: Where are you?

Cassie: Having lunch at The Pink Elephant. Why?

Adrian: Did you take the keys to my filing cabinet?

I bite my lip while checking my pockets. Fuck.

Cassie: Yes, sorry. I forgot to hang them up. I'll be back in less than an hour. Can you wait?

Adrian: No, I need them now

Cassie: Ok, I can run back to the office in 10 minutes. I'm just talking to my mom about something right now

Adrian: Fine. See you shortly

I toss my phone into my purse. "Sorry about that. Work things. You were saying."

"Is work keeping you busy these days? I saw that NVP is hosting a book fair at the convention center next week. All my favorite authors will be there. Do you think you can get me a pass?"

"Yeah, for sure. I'll see what I can do." Maybe one of my ex-coworkers can snag an extra pass for me; otherwise, I'll have to purchase one. "Can we get back to you and dad? What's going on?"

Mom places both her hands on the table. "Well, your father and I have been doing a lot of thinking lately and we've decided to move."

"Okay? Where? Bellevue? Kirkland? Please don't tell me you're moving to Everett. Also, what's wrong with West Seattle? You guys love it there."

My mom tilts her head, her smile faint. "Honey, we're not movingtowns. We're moving countries."

"What?! Countries?! You've never even been outside of the US! How can you move somewhere without even visiting first?! Countries?!" I look around the restaurant in complete shock. "Where are you moving? Why?"

"Cassie!" Mom hisses through her teeth. "Will you keep your voice down, there are people around."

"There's like no one else here, mom! You can't just drop this on me and expect me to sit here and smile. Where are you moving? When?...Why?"

"We've decided to move to Mexico."

"Mexico?! What the hell are you going to do in Mexico? You nearly died when you visited Florida for a week! You complained about the heat the whole time." I shake my head. What is going on right now?! "Why Mexico?"

"Cassie, I'm going to need you to calm down a little, okay? Just breathe, honey. You're getting all—" Mom waves all her fingers in the air. "We didn't tell you this, but we went to Los Cabos a couple of times in the last several years, with our friends, and we just fell in love. We talked to Jill and Hank, you remember the Millers, right? Either way, we decided to buy an estate right on the water together. It's so beautiful, Cassie. The ocean is just thirty steps away, the air is so fresh, and the view is simply spectacular!"

"Oh my God! You've been watching way too much House Hunters International! You can't just up and leave! You have a life here. Friends!" I pout as the gravity of the situation begins to weigh on me. "I'm here."

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