Page 27 of Now That We Don't Talk

Cash hands me his phone. “This is going to sound like a lame pick up line, but can I have your number?”

I giggle as I take his phone from him. “Not lame at all.”

As I drive home, a smile spreads across my face. If anything comes of this, Katie will be reminding me about tonight for years. I’ve been down this road enough to know that one successful evening doesn’t always lead to a lastingromance. Cash has my number now, so the ball is in his court. We’ll just have to see what happens next.

CHAPTER EIGHT

MAC

“Hi, Mom,” I call.

I drop my bag on the floor and set my water bottle on the counter.

“Morning,” she says, coming into the kitchen. “You’re up early.”

I glance at my phone. It’s eight o’clock, which is basically the middle of the day for me.

“I’ve been up for hours. Kyle and I met up for racquetball this morning.”

She pours coffee into a Walt Disney World mug and hands it to me. “That sounds fun. How’s Kyle doing?”

Her tone is curious, which most definitely means she’s trying to get information. The tabloids are child’s play compared to my mother and her friends’ abilities to get breaking news.

“He’s fine. Why do you ask? You saw him a few days ago,” I remind her.

She shrugs. “I’m just making conversation with my son.”

I make a face. “Mom, come on. I know you better than that.”

She tilts her head slightly and gently places her hand on my cheek. “I really love having you here.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m still not giving up any information.”

She tilts her head again. “Information about what?”

I chuckle. “I know I’ve been gone for a while, but some things don’t change. I’m guessing Laura asked you to ask me about Kyle, just in case there’s any news she should know.”

She stares at me with wide, innocent eyes. My mother has never been a good liar. It’s not in her nature.

“If and when Kyle has something to share, I’m sure Laura will be one of the first to know.”

The corner of her mouth curls up. “It’s happening, isn’t it? Kyle is asking Addi to marry him.”

I hold up my hands. “I can neither confirm nor deny, so you might as well give up your quest to get any information out of me.”

“You’re a good friend, honey. I know Kyle is very happy you’re back—we all are.”

For some reason this makes me think of Vivian. She’s the one person who’s not overjoyed by my return.

“What’s wrong?” Mom asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Nothing.”

“You have a strange expression on your face,” she says worriedly.

I open my mouth to tell her about Vivian but quickly stop myself. The truth is not everyone is going to be a fan and it’s probably good for me to experience this.

“All good.”

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