Page 47 of Just Act Natural

No, Lila. Focus.

His eyes widen a touch, like he’s trying to convey a secret message in the subtle movement. Still, I think I get it.

If I’m wrong, I’ll have to move to a whole new country this time.

“He’s my boyfriend,” I blurt out.

I guess I didn’t sell that so well because Josh’s mouth curls into a smirk. Someone else gives a very loud gasp, however. I look past Grant’s shoulders to see the worst of all possible witnesses: my mother.

Living in Sunshine has its perks, but the odds of running into someone you don’t want to see on any given day are exceptionally high.

“Lila.” She swoops over to us, eyes darting between the three key players like she’s not sure who deserves the more pointed stare. “This is unexpected.”

She could mean literally so many things in this moment. My ex-fiancé standing here looking like he’s in town for a summer wedding. Grant with his arm slung casually around me as if we do this every day. Me, disheveled and dirty like I just rolled out of the woods.Oh, wait.

“Joshua.” She gives him a polite nod, but no more than that. Go, Mom.

He appears far more relaxed. “Helena. It’s lovely to see you again.”

She turns to us. “And this is…?”

“Your mother doesn’t know your boyfriend?” Josh says. Can a person pull a muscle in their face from smirking too hard?One can only hope…

I fight the urge to wax off his eyebrows, and paste on a big smile for my mother. “Mom, this is Grant. We met on the Horizon Hikes trip. Grant, this is my mom, Helena Parrish.”

Nerves skitter through me as her eyes get comically wider. Clearly, she didn’t expect me to go into the woods for five days and come back with a significant other. I think we’re all in agreement on that one.

I feel weirdly protective of Grant as she looks him over. Given the two choices, it’s hard to say who I would expect her to appreciate more. Debonair Josh in his expensive outfit and French cologne? Or rugged Grant who looks like he can split wood with his bare hands?

I got my non-outdoorsy genes from her, so I can’t be sure his trail guide chic will win her over. I’ll just have to count on the wholecheated on mething to keep Mom’s focus where it belongs.

“It’s good to meet you, ma’am.” He shakes her hand, and I swear she’s swooning already.

In a sea of horrible awkwardness, that’s one tiny spot of relief.

“Ooh, that accent. Where are you from, Grant?”

“Born and raised in Texas.”

“Really?” She looks excessively impressed by that, as though she’s always hoped I would snag myself a Texan. Her eyes cut to me, and some of her excitement fades. “Lila, how did you get those holes in your shirt?”

“Marmot. We should probably get going?—”

“Wait just a minute. I want to know how all of this started between you two.”

Of course she does. Hope and I don’t love romance books for nothing. It doesn’t matter that we’re tired and filthy and standing on the sidewalk on Maple Street for everyone to see. Mom’s already got dreams running through her head aboutthe two of us, and she wants to fill in as many details as she can.

“Yes, tell us more about your newboyfriend, Lila.” Josh doesn’t use air quotes, but I hear them.

“I would, but we have to go get Grant checked into his hotel.” I pat his stomach and have to force myself not to trace the muscles beneath his shirt. I guess pawing at him isn’t only something I do when I’m asleep.Bad Lila.

“How about dinner?” Mom says. “My husband and I would love to get to know you, Grant.”

I adore her, but a family dinner invite would be totally inappropriate at this stage even if everything with him were totally real. Hope wasn’t exaggerating when she said Mom doesn’t have a middle setting when it comes to our love lives.

“Grant has dietary restrictions, so…”

“I don’t mind accommodating.” She looks so happy for us, she’d probably cater to just about anything at this point, including bending over backward for made-up food preferences. One Kosher, gluten-free, vegan, diabetic-friendly menu, coming right up.

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