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Her mom’s cheeks pinkened and Anna knew it was from the compliment and not the steam drifting up from the sauce. “I’m just worried because every time I call, you’re always home or at work. A girl your age should be out having fun.”

“You know I’m trying to save money.” Anna scraped the chopped tomatoes off the cutting board with the back of the knife and into a bowl where they intermingled with the lettuce.

“What about boys? Going out on a few dates here and there won’t cost you anything.”

Anna stopped slicing cucumber and looked at her mom in exasperation. “I’m not a mooch.”

Her brows instantly rose. “I didn’t say you should be one. But itisstill customary for men to pay for dates, is it not? I’m not that old.”

Anna didn’t miss the note of sarcasm. “Yes, Mom, but seeing as I’m not looking to get involved with someone right now, going on a date just for a free mealwouldbe considered mooching.”

“Lisa’s daughter used one of those dating app things and she found a husband,” she declared almost proudly.

Lisa was her mother’s best friend.

“I’m not using a dating app.”

“I’m just saying, it’s a good way to meet people. How are you going to meet anyone if all you do is work?”

A vision of her mystery man flashed through her head. He came to her work. She shook that thought away. No way would she argue with that logic and openthatcan of worms with her mom. If Anna even hinted there was someone at the diner she had a small crush on her mom would be all over that like a dog with a bone and she’d never stop pestering her about it. “Like I said, I’m not looking to meet anyone right now.”

“I really wish you would reconsider.”

Sighing, Anna set the knife down and turned to fully face her mom. “Look, I appreciate the concern, but I’m happy with the way things are right now.” Children were supposed to tell little white lies to their parents, weren’t they? It had to be some kind of rule somewhere. The truth was, her mom was right. While she was content, she wasn’t happy.

Her mom’s lips pursed. Pamela Torres was not buying her daughter’s BS, but she refrained from commenting further.

Anna thought it wise to change the subject at that juncture. “Are you almost ready for your trip?”

She and her husband were going to Colorado to visit his sister for three weeks and Anna knew her mom was nervous about the flight.

“I suppose,” Pam huffed. She turned the heat off from under the sauce and tossed the spaghetti into the pot of boiling water.

Anna went over to her mom’s side and gave her a squeeze. “Come on, you know you’ll have a good time. You haven’t been on vacation in years.” The last being her honeymoon trip to San Francisco—which they drove to.

Pam patted Anna’s hand that rested on her shoulder. “I’m sure I’ll be fine once I get there. No worries.”

Anna chuckled. “I’m not the one who’s worried.”

“Who’s worried about what?” John asked, walking into the kitchen. “Mmm. Something smells good.”

Pam shooed Anna away as she reached for the handle to the oven. “Oh! I think the garlic bread’s done.” She waved the heat away and grabbed the tray with an oven mitt. “Caught it just in the nick of time.”

“Anything I can do to help?” John asked.

Her mom plopped the tray of garlic bread on the counter. “You can set the table. Dinner’s just about done.”

“Okay, honey.” He kissed her cheek on his way to the cupboard for plates.

Anna secretly smiled as she went back to finishing up the salad. John had been the best thing to happen to her mom and Anna was thrilled she'd found him. Theirs had been a classic office romance meet cute—new boss/secretary situation. They’d been attracted to each other right off the bat but had hidden their feelings because of the no-fraternization policy at the insurance company they both worked for. Anna wasn’t sure who had finally broken and made the first move, but they’ve been happily married for almost three years.

“Mom’s worried about the trip to Colorado,” Anna answered John’s original question, firmly cementing that the topic of conversation would stay off of her love life—or lack thereof.

“What’s to worry about? You know Bess is excited we’re coming.”

“It’s not that,” her mother hedged.

Reading between the lines, John said, “I’ve already told you that if you’d rather drive, I’m okay with that. I meant it.”

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