Page 56 of Bourbon & Bonfires

“I’m not surprised, Rosa. And yes, Addison and I are dating. Mason’s a good kid; have you met him?”

“I have. He was here with his uncle. We need to find that Taylor a nice woman. He’s far too handsome and kind to be alone.”

“I don’t remember you trying to fix me up,” I tease.

“Ah, my Landon. I never doubted you’d find her. Now don’t screw it up.” She taps my check twice with her palm and walks away. Well, okay then.

Taking my breakfast to the office, I settle in for some paperwork and phone calls. Business is booming. I finally pull the trigger and post an ad for a part-time office assistant. Shit, I’m really doing this. Running a business I wasn’t expecting to have and maybe not screwing it up.

I’m lost in the oblivion of spreadsheets and reconciling statements when my phone signals a text message.

Mom: I think you, Addy, and Mason should come for dinner. I’m making lasagna.

Me: Addison and I have plans.

Mom: Great, I’ll call Mason this afternoon and have him over.

Me: Perhaps you should speak to Addison since she is his mother, Mother.

Mom: I’m waving my hands dismissively. I’ll handle it.

Me: You don’t have to tell me your gestures.

Mom: Yes, well if you’d use the phone like a normal person you’d hear it in my voice.

Me: Goodbye Mom.

Mom: Bye, honey.

I think my mom has officially adopted Mason as her honorary grandchild, and that makes me happy. I manage to pull up the next statement for reconciliation when another text message alerts. What is it with everyone?

Ben: I’m fucking starving. Why is day drinking so frowned upon?

Me: Probably because you’re an elementary school teacher.

Ben: Valid point. See you at the deli in 20?

Me: Sounds good.

With only twenty minutes until I meet Ben, I save my work and exit the programs on my computer. Before I can pick up my keys to leave, the phone rings. I consider letting the call go to voicemail but think better of it.

“Good afternoon, Lexington Heating and Air.”

“What is this ad you’re running?”

Dad.

“I think it’s pretty self-explanatory. Why are you stalking the business on the internet?”

“Your mother is driving me crazy. I’d like to apply for the position.”

I laugh at my dad. Not because he’s applying for a job at his own company, but because I win the bet with my brother and sister. Those suckers better pay up and fast. “You’re hired. See you tomorrow at eight.” Dad ends the call with a loud laugh and shouting about his new job to my mom.

“Let me get this straight. You bailed the kid out and kept it a secret from his mom who also happens to be your girlfriend.” Ben sits back in his chair, arms crossed against his chest with a look of either confusion or constipation. I can’t really tell at this point.

“There was no bail, they didn’t arrest him. But, yeah, that’s the basics.”

“You’re an idiot.”

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