Page 15 of Her Heart's Desire

Hanging up, I feel like my life is finally starting to feel settled. My friends have been a huge part of my life since I moved to Rose Valley and even though I love them, it's not the same as having a partner, one you not only connect emotionally with but physically too.

After finishing up my coffee and eating something small for breakfast, I call my mom to catch up since she'd called me earlier in the week. Days like this I try to get in as much as possible. That way when I'm at work I can focus on work.

Dialing her number, it rings a few times before she answers in a cheerful voice. "How are you, my favorite daughter?"

This makes me giggle because I'm her only daughter. It's something she's said since we were kids. Honestly, it's ridiculous, but it makes me laugh and most of the time pisses off my brothers.

"I'm good. Today is one of my days off so. I'm going to have lunch with some of my girls andM talk about Hazel's wedding," I sing song.

"That sounds like fun. How is her wedding planning going?"

"I think it's going good, or at least she's good at dealing with it. Today we're going to discuss what she wants for a bachelorette party. How are you, Mom?"

"You know I'm good. Same ole, same ole. Your dad drives me nuts most of the time and your brothers are eating me out of house and home. Oh, I forgot to tell you Rodney just got a scholarship to play football."

"Aww, that's great, Mom. Tell him I'm happy for him."

"Kimberly, you sound happier than normal. Did you meet someone?"

"How did you know Mom?" I'm astonished that she could tell that I've met someone.

She laughs. "A mother just knows these things."

Letting out a sigh, I give in. "I have started seeing someone, but I didn't just meet him."

"Well, maybe you can bring him to Thanksgiving. I would love to meet him."

"Let me talk to him. I'll let you know. " Glancing at the clock, I see that I've only got an hour before I'm supposed to meet Hazel. "I've got to go, Mom."

"Okay, honey. Talk to you soon. Love you."

"Love you." With our goodbyes done, we both hangup. I better hurry and jump in the shower if I don't want to smell like sex and sweat. As much as I would love to have the smell of Silas on me, I don't think anyone else would appreciate it.

***

Exactly one hour later, I'm pulling up to Sensational Salads, completely impressed with myself that I could get ready so fast. When I pull open the door, I'm greeted with Allison yelling, "Hey bitch, we're over here!"

I blush at the inappropriate greeting that she just yelled out in front of everyone in the restaurant. Thankfully, there's not very many people. Rushing over to their table, I pull out a chair and as I sit I look over at Allison. "Did you have to yell that out? It's embarrassing."

She grins at me. "It only embarrasses you, which is why I do it. I don't do that to anyone else."

Pulling my lips into a straight line, I growl as I glare at her, letting her know I don't like her answer. "Allison."

The grin she has on her face gets wider and wider.

Ashley interrupts, giving both of us her 'mom' tone. "Ladies. We'll talk about how obnoxious Allison is later. But right now let's talk about Hazel's bachelorette party."

"Yes, my bachelorette party," she says as she rubs her hands together, grinning. "We have a few restrictions, though."

Narrowing my eyes at her, I translate. "You mean Dexter gave you rules. Why am I not surprised?"

She rolls her eyes at me. "We both agreed on them. Besides, you know he's possessive."

"Yeah, yeah."

For the next hour, all four of us eat lunch and plan her bachelorette party in depth. Even with Dexter's rules, we're still able to plan a ton of fun things. And Hazel doesn't know it, but we are going to have a few surprises in store too.

All Dexter approved.

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