Page 87 of Dark Love

“Oh really. What is her name?”

And into the dark… “He’s a neighbor.”

“You have a boyfriend.”

“If by that you mean a friend who is a man, yes.” I roll my eyes. Though I might have a boyfriend soon. Boy isn’t really an accurate description of Vex.

“Is he single?”

“Very.” Not for long if Hope has anything to say about it.

There’s a lengthy pause on the other end of the phone. Is Mom taking a sip of her tea or hyperventilating? Probably a little of both. “Mom, he’s just a friend.”

“You’re talking to a single man.”

“He’s my neighbor, Mom.” She’s already taken this way overboard, just like I knew she would.

“You’re talking to a single man.”

And I need to defuse this. “A single father, with an almost adult child.”

“Becoming a grandmother instantly would be wonderful. When are you seeing him next?”

“Mom, I’m not marrying him.”

“You know how hard it is to get a reservation at the country club. I’ll see what’s available and put a deposit down this week.”

“Mom! We’re just friends.” What did I get myself into? This isn’t helping.

“When are you seeing him next?”

Um… I need to lie. Except I can’t lie to my mother. Not only am I terrible at it, but she always knows.

“When are you seeing him?”

“Probably tonight,” I mutter into my tea.

“TONIGHT!” Her screech is loud enough to be heard down the street. “You’re sitting there in your pajamas talking to me when you’re going to see a man. Have I taught you nothing? A man appreciates when a woman takes care of her appearance. You don’t let a man see you in your pajamas—and even then it’s only the sexy ones, not the fuzzy things you wear now—until you’re married. Don’t let him see you at your weakest until he’s thoroughly hooked.

Vex hasn’t ever seen me at anything but my worst. “Mom, Max is my friend. He doesn’t care what I look like.”

“Every man cares. Dahlia Prudence Fleur, you hang up this phone right now and go get presentable… Wear the green silk dress I got you with the black peep-toe heels… You know, the ones I’m talking about.”

Sadly, I do. They have four-inch heels and are torture to wear. “Max doesn’t care.”

“Trust me, he does. Max sounds like a very nice name.”

She wouldn’t think that if she knew his full name was Massimo Rage Vincenti. Who names their son Rage? Especially such a nice man. “He is.”

“Exactly. Now go get dressed.” Mom hangs up the phone.

This isn’t the end of it. Mom is going to call again just to ‘check’ to make sure I meet her standards. I guess I’m getting dressed and putting makeup on.

***

“Look at Prue.” Dylan whistles.

“Prue has a boyfriend. Prue has a boyfriend,” Junie sings.

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