Page 78 of Until Bax

“Hey, baby,” he answers on the first ring.

“Hey.” I feel my muscles relax despite still being wildly pissed off. “I just wanted to let you know that I made it to dinner with my mom and that Lincoln and his mom are also here if you want to join us too.”

“Olivia,” Mom hisses, just as Bax whispers, “Pardon?”

“I know. I was surprised too,” I say, swearing I hear Lincoln laugh across from me, but I don’t look up to confirm that I’m right.

“I see,” Bax grumbles. “Where are you?”

“Madison’s. The Italian restaurant going toward Nashville.”

“I’ll try to make it over there. I’m just getting off work now.”

“Okay, if you can’t make it, I’ll see you at home,” I add—admittedly out of spite.

“You will.” His tone is soft. “Later, baby.”

“Bye.” I hang up with him and ignore my mother, who I can feel staring daggers at me.

I’m so angry with her right now that I feel myself vibrating with it. I can understand her concern when it comes to me dating Bax, but I can’t believe that she’d go out of her way to invite Lincoln to dinner and do it in order to play a game of matchmaker with his mom. And I know that’s exactly what this is.

You lose, Mom.

“Has the server been by to take drink orders?” I ask Lincoln, who looks like he’s trying really hard not to laugh.

“Not yet.”

“Good, I need wine.” I take my napkin off my plate and drape it over my lap, smoothing it out.

“I need to go to the ladies’ room,” Mom announces, pushing back from the table. “Olivia, would you like to come with me?”

“No, I’m good. Thank you.” I pick up my menu.

“Olivia,” she snaps.

“Fine.” I sigh, looking at Lincoln once more. “If the server comes by, will you please order me a glass of Pino?”

“Of course,” he mutters through a smirk.

I push back from the table and place my napkin next to my plate, then follow my mom across the restaurant to the restroom. As soon as we step through the door and it closes behind us, she spins around to face me.

“I can’t believe you’d embarrass me like that!” she cries.

“What did I do?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“You know exactly what you did.”

“Are you talking about me calling my boyfriend to let him know I arrived at the restaurant safely and that he could join us since it’s obvious this is not just a mother-daughter date, as you had me believe?”

“Olivia—”

“I know what you’re doing, Mom, and it’s not happening. I’m not interested in Lincoln.”

“Honey—”

“No, that’s messed up.” I wave a hand toward the bathroom door. “Especially when you know that Bax and I are together.”

“He’s no good for you.” She actually stomps her foot.

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