Page 8 of Dad's Best Friend Scientist
What? My heart flutters. This is perfect. Our earlier conversation needs to continue. But I hesitate and say, “It won’t be necessary.” The truth is I’m afraid of what I’ll do. It’s only three blocks, but I can’t imagine walking in the dark with David. Something has changed between us after the moment in the laundry room. I could hardly stop gazing at him at dinner in front of his mom. What would I do if we were alone? I would make a fool of myself again.
“It’s unsafe for a young woman to be out by herself at this hour,” he insists.
I don’t know why he says that because Oak Valley is one of the safest towns in the state.
I guess living in LA, a crime-ridden city, makes him paranoid.
Linda also looks puzzled for a moment, but she nods quickly. “He’s right, Zena. Let him walk you home.”
When I hesitate, David adds, “I’m gonna say hi to your mom and dad as well.”
“Okay,” I say reluctantly.
Chapter 9
David
I’m about to go out of the door when my mom grabs my arm. “Just a minute, David. Go put on a better shirt.”
“Why is it necessary? I’m only going to see John.”
Mom rolls her eyes. “At least rinse your mouth?”
Damn. Mom can be domineering. I’m still her little boy. “Okay, give me just a minute,” I say to Zena and go upstairs to my bedroom.
I rinse my mouth quickly and then put on a more formal shirt.
Before going back downstairs, my mom meets me in my bathroom. Without warning, she grabs some gel and styles my hair for me. “Better,” she says with a nod. And then she opens my medicine cabinet and takes out the cologne that I haven’t used for ages.
What’re you doing, Mom?” It’s not like I’m going on a date.”
She sprays the cologne on me despite my protest. “Son, Zena is a lovely girl, isn’t she?”
“Y—yes,” I say.
“And she doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
“Really?” My face turns red. Does my mom know about my dirty fantasies?
“Yes. Isn’t it hard to believe?” my mom gushes. “The boys are all blind.”
I chuckle. “Well, how do you know she doesn’t have suitors?”
“You’re right I don’t,” Mom says. And then she lowers her voice. “But I know for sure she has the hots for you, David.”
“What are you talking about, Mother? She’s John’s baby girl.”
“She isn’t a baby anymore. And she’s ready to have babies of her own,” she says, her eyes sparkling.
“Stop it, Mom.” The idea of putting babies in Zena’s womb would turn me on if my mom weren’t in front of me. I resist temptation right away. “I’m her dad’s friend and I’m old.”
“Okay. Just a thought,” she says. “Just want to remind you that age is just a number. Don’t forget your dad was fifteen years older than me.”
My heart races excitedly. Mom is an understanding woman, but I’m embarrassed to admit my feelings for the girl in front of her. “What’re you getting at, mom? I’m not interested in Zena.”
“Come on, David. I’m your mom. You think I haven’t noticed the way you behave in front of the girl? You wouldn’t offer to walk her home if you weren’t protective of her.”
Damn. I thought I’d hidden my feelings well, but I was wrong. I should’ve known that nothing escaped Mom’s shrewd eyes. I avoid looking at her. “I’ve got to go, Mom. Zena is waiting.”
