Page 43 of More Than a Blind Date

The accusation stirs a fire in my gut.

But before I can react, Rose’s body goes stiff, and I swear she grows five inches.

“Mom, I am not going to Cancun with you, Dad, Sage, and the Finch family. Dallas and I have plans for Thanksgiving.” Rose presses her back against my chest. “And, Mom, how did you even find me?”

If Mrs. Potts hadn’t already figured out that Rose purposefully avoided giving out her address, she knows now.

She tips her head toward me. “I waited in a parking lot near the main intersection. And when I saw his truck, I followed him. I figured he was headed home, and lo and behold, I see him come straight home to you. You can stop lying. I know y’all are living together. And I’m disappointed.”

My irritation is bubbling into a boil. “We?—”

Rose puts her hand on mine. “Mom, I think you should go. I love you, but this isn’t a constructive conversation. I hope y’all have a great trip. And I wish you’d asked before buying a ticket for me, but maybe Richard can take a friend along. You can transfer the ticket to his date.”

Without a word, Rose’s mom spins around and stomps off. She’s not used to Rose standing up to her, and it seems to knock her off balance.

Rose and I stand on the porch, silent, until the car pulls away.

“I guess I don’t need to ask what y’all talked about on the phone.” I’m hoping my mild attempt at humor at least draws a snicker.

Rose rubs her face. “I can’t believe she followed you. And I’m sorry I waited so long to put my foot down. This is years too late.” She clasps my hand and leads me inside. “Before I launch into what she said earlier, I want to apologize for cutting you off. But I didn’t want you to tell Mom that we didn’t live together. She’d never hurt me. I’m not worried about that. But she would hassle me a lot more if she knew you didn’t live here. So, I selfishly interrupted so you wouldn’t tell her.”

“After we eat, I’ll run home and pack a bag. I can crash on the floor in one of the guest rooms.”

“What about the couch? But you don’t have to—” She bites her bottom lip, then grins.

She caught herself, and I don’t have to remind her that I’m not doing things because I have to.

“Let’s eat.” Rose turns and walks into the kitchen.

“I’m going to wash up.” After giving my hands a much-needed scrub, I join her.

Rose is warming tortillas on the stove.

I toss down a pinch of shredded cheese for Floofy, who purrs while he gobbles it up.

“You’re spoiling that cat.” She doesn’t even look back, so I have no idea how she knows I’ve given him the treat. “I can’t even open that bag without that cat running into the kitchen to beg.”

“Guilty as charged. But when he looks up at me with those bright green eyes, I have trouble saying no.”

Facing the stove, she says, “I have a question, and feel free not to answer if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“Okay.” That lead-in has me a bit nervous. We’ve talked about lots of stuff, so what’s about to make me uncomfortable?

“This may not be an exact quote, but paraphrasing, you only do what you want, right?”

“I was trying to make the point that I don’t do things simply because of obligation. I didn’t mean to sound like a spoiled toddler.” I ease up beside her.

She shakes her head. “I didn’t take it that way. But on the porch, when you realized we had an audience, did you want to greet me that way?” Gazing at me, she pulls that lower lip between her teeth.

I blink. Lying isn’t something I’m good at. And the smile playing on Rose’s lips makes me think my expression has already answered her question.

“I plead the fifth.”

She laughs. “I warmed you three tortillas. Need more than that?”

“That’s plenty to start. And if I need more, I can warm them. I’m capable.”

“I’d say you are. Quite capable.” She licks her lips and winks. “Want a Coke?”

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