"Well, I am seeing someone, Mother, and I would like to bring him."
"Who?"
“Excuse me?”
"Who is the person you are dating?"
"What?"
"If you are dating this mystery man, I’m going to need to know who it is."
Fuck. She was not ready to be dealing with this right now. What was she going to do? She couldn't get through that wedding without a buffer.
“Well then he wouldn’t be a mystery man, would he now, mother?” she said, trying to guide her out the door.
“I’m not leaving here till you tell me who you’re seeing.”
"Him," she said, pointing to Cash.
"I'm sorry? Who?"
"Him," she said, pointing again to Cash.
"That hockey player?" she said with barely hidden disdain.
"That NHL player...yes. Him." Well...she would have to deal with this later, but hopefully it would be enough to get her mother out of here.
"Young man," her mother called out as she started to walk to the ice.
Fuck. This was not happening. "Mom! What are you doing?" She took hold of her hand trying to pull her out.
"I'm meeting your wedding date," she said, shooting her a doubtful gaze. "Young man," she called again.
"Mom. Stop," she whispered harshly, but it was too late. Cash looked around him for who she was talking to. He pointed to himself and gave her a confusing look. "Mom. seriously," she said, trying to pull her away from the ice.
Her mom turned and gave her a look that stopped her. A look that said stop acting like a petulant child. A look she was all too accustomed to. And to her horror, Cash was skating over to her.
"Hello, I'm Elizabeth Masterson. I understand you are escorting my Evelyn to the wedding."
Cash shot her a quizzical glance and Evie wished she could stop existing. Just all together stop existing. There was no coming back from this level of embarrassment.
Cash turned to her mother with a charming smile on his face. "Yes, ma'am. That is correct. It’s my honor to be escorting her to this wedding. She’s very excited about it. In fact, it’s all she’s been talking about," he said, sneaking her a look that shot straight through her.
"Really?" She said with a hint of disbelief.
"Yes, ma'am."
"And you play for the NHL?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'm assistant captain of the Glendale Magic."
Her mother gave a small hum and Evie was just about to lose it. "Are you happy now?"
"Yes. Was it that difficult?" she said to Evie.
"It was nice to meet you, I'm sure you are aware of the responsibilities of escorting the maid of honor."
"Mother," she said, finally pulling her out of the rink entirely.