Page 13 of It Just Feels Right

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, well, I’ve invited a guest too. So set another one.”

I don’t like the way she said it. I know when my mom is up to something, and she definitely is right now. “Who’s coming to dinner?”

She shrugs. “You’re so nosy.”

I’m not worried about upsetting her now. “Mom, what have you done?”

I wouldn’t put it past her to have invited my ex. She was extremely upset that I broke up with him, and let’s face it, inviting him to dinner would be something that she would do.

The doorbell rings, and I move in front of my mom. “Who did you invite to dinner?”

She’s not intimidated, though. She walks past me. “Well, let’s just go see.”

I follow behind her, trembling mad. I don’t have a clue who it is, but I’m guessing I’m not going to like it. She knows I won’t cause a scene. I always just bite my tongue and go with the flow.

When she opens the door, I go into the dining room and start putting plates out, fuming mad. I hear their voices and the surprise in my stepdad’s voice. Obviously, he didn’t have anything to do with this. I listen intently, and I hear my mom call him Roger. I start wracking my brain trying figure it out, and it hits me. My gynecologist. She invited my gynecologist to dinner. Oh my God!

They all come into the dining room as I finish setting out the plates. Roger comes over to me, and I can’t even look him in the eye. Mom stops next to me, pinching me on the fat of my arm. “Cassie, you know Roger O’Dell. I thought it would be nice for you two to meet since you’re so close in age and local professionals.”

I’m shocked at how my mother would think this is a good idea. “Mom, uh, I know Dr. O’Dell. I’d say he knows me really well. He’s my gynecologist.” I sigh and can’t keep it in. “He’s seen my hoo-haa.”

Ryan barks out a laugh but stops when Brandi silences him with a look. Roger pulls at the collar onhis shirt, and my mom pinches my arm again. Fuck me, how is this happening? I hold my hand out. “It’s nice to see you again, Dr. O’Dell.”

He laughs and shakes my hand. “You too. You can call me Roger.”

I pull out of his hold, and without glancing at anyone, I say, “I’ll be right back. I need to grab another place setting.”

Ryan stops me. “This is fine, Cassie. Baker called and said there was some kind of emergency, and he wasn’t sure if he’d make it.”

I nod and try not to let my disappointment show. “Okay, well, I’ll go and help Mom bring food in.”

I walk into the kitchen, and when my mom comes in, I turn on her. “Mom, what are you thinking? I do not want to be fixed up with my gynecologist.”

She hisses back at me, “You ungrateful little…” Before she finishes, she pulls herself together and puts a smile on her face. It’s almost scary how she can be a crazy woman one second and then switch to smiling “mom of the year” next. Not that her words match, though. “Look, you can’t live here forever.”

I shake my head. “Mom, I’ve been here for the summer. I’m saving up to get my own place. I should be able to get something by my next payday.”

“You wouldn’t have to work if you married a doctor.”

I’m shocked. “Mother, you honestly don’t think I’d want to date someone because they’re a doctor, do you?’

She points at the serving dishes on the counter. “Not date… marry.”

“Mom, this is ridiculous. I’m not going in there.”

She gets that look in her eyes. “You will too. You live in my house, so you live by my rules.”

She grabs a plate of chicken. “Now pull yourself together, daughter. The men are waiting for us.”

And just like that, she puts a smile on her face and walks out of the kitchen. I wish my sister didn’t live in a two-bedroom apartment with three other women. She’s offered for me to stay anyway, but I thought by living at home I would be able to save money quicker. I didn’t realize it would be hell, though.

Ticked off, I grab the bowl of mashed potatoes as Ryan walks into the kitchen. “You can do better.”

I laugh. I’m not sure how my mom convinced Ryan to go out with her because he is amazing. “Thank you. Too bad my mom doesn’t think so.” I point toward the other room. “Did you know Mom was setting me up on a blind date today?”

He shakes his head and sighs. “No, I didn’t.”

I lift my shoulder. “You know I don’t plan on sponging off you forever. I almost have enough money saved to get a place.”

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