Page 108 of Tangled Up In You

"No, of course not."

"Really? Because you seem a bit off."

"Well, that's generally what happens when my mother shows up." Molly squared her shoulders. "But it's fine. We'll have drinks and dinner together. If nothing else, you won't be bored, because my mother is very entertaining."

Molly was right. Her mother was entertaining. Diana had story after story to tell, and she knew just how to tell them, punctuating the high points with pauses of anticipation. And as they drank wine and ate pasta at the Lakeshore Bistro, those stories got even better, especially when she decided to tell him about Molly.

"Mom, Adam doesn't want to hear about my childhood," Molly protested.

"Not even the T-ball story?" Diana asked with a laugh. "Where you hit the ball and ran the wrong way all around the bases?"

"Ouch," he said. "That must have been embarrassing."

"I was six, so it wasn't that big of a deal. Besides, we moved three weeks after that, so it's not like I saw anyone again. And you told me it was great that I had changed the game, made my own rules," she reminded her mother.

"That does sound like me. It is better to change the game and make your own rules. Who wants to be ordinary when extraordinary could be just around the corner?"

He was beginning to see why Molly had gotten swept up in her mother's infectious, enthusiastic dreams. Diana Trent had a lot of charisma and was very persuasive.

"Now, what shall we get for dessert?" Diana asked.

"I'm good," he replied.

"Oh, don’t be silly. Who can turn down a bite of something sweet? You'll share something, won't you?"

"Mom, leave him alone. Adam, you don't have to have dessert."

"It's fine. I'll have a bite of whatever you get."

"They have crème brûlée," Diana said, consulting the menu. "Or what about a flourless chocolate cake? You know what, let's get both." She waved her hand, and the server came over to take their order.

He added in a coffee, while both Molly and her mother ordered tea.

"So, there is something I want to talk to you about, Molly," her mother said.

"What's that?" Molly asked with trepidation.

"A fabulous opportunity." Her eyes lit up with excitement. "I've been offered a job in Paris. They want me to choreograph a Broadway show."

"That's amazing, Mom," Molly said.

"Very impressive," he added.

"It's been my dream for a very long time," Diana said. "The director is a fan of mine from years ago. I first met him when he was just a bit player in an off-Broadway show. Now he's moved to Paris, and as part of my contract, he's going to lease me a two-bedroom luxury apartment with a rooftop deck and a view of the Seine. I want you to come with me, Molly."

His gut clenched at her words. He immediately looked to Molly for a strong reaction, an immediate refusal.

"I just moved here, Mom," she said.

He frowned. That reaction was just a sidestep, and it worried him.

"Yes, but this is a rent-free luxury apartment in Paris, Molly," Diana continued. "How many times did we dream about going to Paris, walking along the Seine, going to the Louvre, drinking wine, and eating incredible food? It's only for a year. You can come back after that, if you want."

"I have a business. I can't just leave it."

"The store is up and running now. Hire a manager. I'm sure there's someone here in town who would want to run the shop. You can check in by phone. But this is Paris. This is our dream."

His tension increased with the uncertainty in Molly's eyes.

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