Page 6 of Unmasking Love
I laugh. "What are you doing tonight?"
"I've got an investor dinner, some guy from Montana is flying in and taking a bunch of meetings.” Wes works for a venture capitalist and investment firm. He spends his day taking meetings with either super wealthy people, or entrepreneurs who are on their way to being super wealthy with his investments. “But we're bringing the puppies to the D.C. Renegades game opening night to promote Forever Home.” That’s the app his buddy, Holden Monaghan, started, and he invested in, that helps shelters match animals with volunteers and families. “I got two tickets at ice level right next to their bench. They want us to try and have the puppies watch some of the game for TV coverage opportunities. Plus the usual walking them around."
"Yeah sure, I'll go. Send me the date."
"Will do. Toodleloo!"
I laugh. "Bye Wes."
As I hang up my phone buzzes and I assume it’s Felix, or his new teammate, but it’s my mom.
MOM:
Harper, darling, we need to talk about Thanksgiving. Call me.
I push my sandwiches even further away. The loss of appetite turning into a sour stomach. I take a deep breath and let it out as I press her contact number.
“That was quick, are you not busy?” Mom asks instead of saying hello.
“Lunch break. So, what’s up? It’s not even Labor Day, why do we need to talk about Thanksgiving?” I ask quietly as I walk to my car.
“Don’t give me attitude.”
“Sorry.”
“Walter and I will be hosting.”
Walter is mom’s latest husband. She started dating him in the new year when they met at his gym and she moved in by March. I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet. Thanksgiving will be the first time.
“Oh, that’s nice. What can I bring?”
“Nothing. You see, his kids don’t know I have a kid. Plus they’re bringing his grandchildren and it’s going to just be chaos. It’ll just be easier if we do something just the two of us. I was thinking about going down to the Keys. I booked us a suite at Little Palm.”
“Oh, okay, cool. Send me the details and I’ll block my calendar.” I’m not sure how to even process everything she just dumped on me. I climb into the driver’s seat and try to form questions. Mom and Walter eloped in July. All I got was a picture text of them on a beach. Her message said “I’m Mrs. Walter Waterson!” and I reacted with a heart.
A few days later she called and told me everything. She was excited about her designer dress, the private oceanside dinner they enjoyed, and of course she described in detail all the amenities of the honeymoon suite.
I think back and I’m not sure I’ve ever spoken to Walter. Maybehedoesn’t know that I exist. Good thing I’ve learned not to get attached to mom’s beaus. These semi-annual trips are when we see each other now and it works for us.
“Perfect! So, how are you? How’s your boyfriend? It’s been what, three months?”
“Almost three, and he’s fine.”
“Just fine? You know by three months you should-”
“Mom, I’m at work, I can’t have this conversation right now. I gotta go.”
“Okay, bye darling!”
I hang up and close my eyes as my head falls back against the headrest. Mom makes finding a partner seem easy. I guess practice makes perfect. Isaw how she worked her way into better living situations with each man over and over again. She thinks I’m going about it the hard way.
The hard way being dating instead of faking a burst pipe as an excuse to move in.
But, I want a lasting relationship built on trust. Someone who wants to take care of me, not feel obligated to. Someone who I want to care for too.
Chapter 3
Aiden
