Page 67 of Sunsets & Slow Dances

“Of course you didn’t!” Felicity enthused as if it was a good thing. “What kind of surprise would that be?”

One that was healthier for Matty. I kept my response to myself.

“There’s a boarding house in town. I’m sure Mrs. B has rooms. Or I can see if the Montgomery estate is available. Miles Ford stayed there when he was filming.” If it was good enough for an Oscar nominee, then surely it would have to be good enough for her. Although, knowing Felicity, she would find something to complain about.

“Don’t be silly. I’m going to stay here with my Matty.” Felicity patted ‘her Matty’ on his head like he was her pet.

“You can’t. My mom has Bandit and Betty.” As if on cue, the duo came in through the doggy door.

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“Fine? What happened to beingdeathlyallergic?”

“People grow out of allergies.” The challenge in her tone told me that she was not going to back down.

If I didn’t let this go, I knew things would get heated. Not on my side, but Felicity loved a bit of drama. I hated it. I wasn’t going to argue with her in front of anyone, especially not in front of Matty.

Mom, being mom, clocked the tension and quickly intervened to defuse the situation.

“Why don’t I make us some breakfast?” my mom chirped cheerily. “How does French toast sound?”

“Oh, that sounds amazing. Cally, hon, can you go get my bags?” Felicity tossed her keys in my direction.

Out of instinct, I lifted my hand and caught the keys flying at my face.

“And I need a shower.” She aimed that statement at my mom. “I feel so gross from the flight.”

“Of course. I’ll go grab you some tow?—”

“I’ll take care of it, Mom.”

My mom had done so much already, opening up her home to me, Matty, and Chloe. I wasn’t going to have her going out of her way to wait on Felicity.

“Are you sure?” my mom asked.

I nodded.

“Can I help make the trench toast?” Matty lifted his hand high in the air.

“It’s French toast, like France, and absolutely you can help make it.”

My mom and Matty headed to the kitchen, and the dogs trailed behind them, leaving me and Felicity alone in the front room.

“We need to talk,” I told her.

“Later. I’m exhausted. I just want to take a shower and spend time withMatty.I’ve missed him so much…” Her words trailed off when her phone rang.

Without sparing me another glance, she rummaged through her bag, answered the call, and walked up the stairs. I stood, still in a little bit of shock, as I looked around the room. Felicity’s purse was in the middle of the floor, her jacket was hanging over the reading lamp beside Buzz’s lounging chair, and her shoes looked like they’d been kicked off and just landed haphazardly where they fell.

The scene was a perfect representation of who Felicity was as a person. She had no respect or consideration for anyone butherself. She made messes and expected other people to clean them up.

Buzz walked inside, and the screen door crashed behind him. He looked around and asked, “You want me to help with her bags, son?”

“No, that’s okay. I got it. Thanks.”

Buzz shook his head as he looked around the room. “That girl sure is a piece of work.”

That was one way to describe Felicity. I could definitely think of a few others.

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