Page 76 of When You Left Me Speechless

Mom: More than you could ever know. What do you need?

Logan: I’m trying to surprise the girl I’ve been seeing and I need to borrow some of your paint stuff?

Mom: Does this mean you’re actually going to tell me about her?

Logan: If I say yes, will you let me raid your studio?

Mom: Yes.

Logan: Then yes. I will tell you about her, but first I need your help to make tonight perfect.

I knockon the door to my mom’s townhouse. “Coming, one second,” she yells from inside. The door swing opens and my mom greets me with a warm hug. “Come on, come on. Let’s get you something to drink and then you can tell me all about this girl.”

I shake my head. “I’m here to borrow painting supplies.”

“Logan Michael Peterson. You promised me you would tell me about her,” she scolds, walking toward her refrigerator. She opens the door and pulls out a pitcher of sweet tea. Now, spill.” She grabs two glasses and fills them with the sweet amber liquid.

I take a glass and chuckle over the rim as I take a large sip. “Well, let’s see. She’s beautiful and has an incredibly big heart. She’s smart and funny. I can’t seem to stay away from her and I guess I’m realizing I don’t want to be casual with her anymore. I want us to be something and I think she does too. She is just scared to admit it.”

“And does this girl have a name?”

“Poppy.”

She nods and sits down at the kitchen table. “And you think if you make tonight perfect, she’ll agree to be more than casual?”

“I’m not sure, but she agreed to go on a date with me andI think that means more than she wants to admit. She had a really bad relationship and I can be patient, but I know how I feel about her and I want to do something special for her.”

“Hmmm,” she muses. “Is that where I come in?”

I walk over and meet her at the table. “Yes, I have a whole night planned for us at my apartment. I originally wanted to bring her to your studio and do the splatter paint thing you told me about, but she wants to keep our relationship private for a little longer, so I thought I would bring the splatter paint to her, but I’ll need your help to set it up.”

She laughs, almost spewing her tea. “Honey, you do realize that splatter paint creates a very large mess.”

I nod. “I don’t care. I want to do something fun with her and I think she will love it. Will you help me?”

“There are drop cloths and plastic in the garage. Go grab all of it because we are going to have to make sure every inch of the room is covered. I have some extra brushes and an easel out there too.”

“Have I ever told you, you’re the best mom in the world?” I start to walk towards the garage and stop to kiss her on the cheek.

“Yes. Now come on. I’ll help you set it up.”

I collect the drop cloths, plastic, paintbrushes, and easel from my mom’s garage and pile them in the back of my truck. We make our way to the craft store and she helps me to pick out the right kind of paint and a large white canvas. I make one more stop to purchase the rest of the supplies I need for the evening.

When we make it back to my apartment we get to work covering every inch of my small office with drop cloths and plastic. I set the easel up in the middle of the room and set the paint on the floor.

My mom stands back and admires our work. “I think that’ll do it. Want me to hang around and teach a private painting class? I’d love to meet her.”

“No,” I deadpan. “You need to get out of here, so I can finish up and then go pick up my girl.”

My mom smiles. “She seems to be really special to you, honey. I’m happy for you.”

“She is.”

She wraps me in a hug before letting herself out of my apartment. Once the door shuts, I get to work on setting up the rest of our date.

CHAPTER 48: THIS IS NOTHING SERIOUS

POPPY

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