Page 157 of Hooking Up
Is he really okay with the past being the past?
* * *
We spendthe afternoon jumping from coffee shop to lunch to coffee shop. We swing by his place to pick up clothes, then we go to mine. We fuck, shower, change.
I spend forever fixing my hair and makeup. It needs to be perfect. So his parents don't see the cracks in my story. So his sister believes I'm honest. So I see Iris the future psychologist and not Iris the fuck-up when I look in the mirror.
He slides his arms around my waist. Brushes his lips against my neck. He's in jeans and a button-up shirt. It suits him more than it should.
It's unfair how good he looks in everything.
"You ready to go?" He slides his hand over my hip.
"Not if you keep doing that."
He chuckles as he steps backward. "I can't help it. You're too fucking tempting."
My cheeks flush. I smooth my dress. Sway my hips as I spin on my heels to face him. "I'm wearing a thong."
"You're evil."
"I learned from the best."
* * *
My confidence plummetsas I step onto the hardwood floor. This place is even more beautiful with the sunset flowing through the sheer curtains. It reeks of money, taste, class.
Walker pulls me a little closer. His fingers tense. Then his arms. His shoulders. His jaw.
It's subtle. Almost imperceptible—he keeps a perfect poker face—but it's there. I'm getting good at reading him. At seeing past the carefree smile.
A woman in her fifties in a black shift dress, a royal blue cardigan, and expensive all-business heels crosses the foyer. She's taller than I am, with dark eyes and highlighted dark hair.
Her red lips—a subtle, work appropriate red—press into a smile. "Walker, sweetie. It's been too long." She turns to me. "You must be Walker's girlfriend."
"Iris," he says.
"Jen." His mom places her hand over her heart. "You can call me Mom, though I'm sure that's a bit premature."
I look into Walker's eyes for some sign on how I should react. Is she really suggesting we're going to get married? I guess it isn't unusual for the mom of a twenty-something guy who's never had a girlfriend before. But still…
"It's nice to meet you." I offer a hand.
She takes mine with both of hers. Shakes. "You too." She releases me then turns to Walker. "I miss you so much, baby." She wraps her arms around him. "I know you have issues with your sister—"
"Let's wait until we sit down," he says.
Her lips curl into a frown as she pulls away. "We worry about her too." She motionsafter methen turns and leads us through the main room and the sparkling, stainless steel kitchen, past the sliding door that leads out to the backyard.
The pool glows against the darkening sky.
It's inviting.
"Iris." Walker takes my hand. Motions to the dining room through the open doorway.
Oh. I'm staring at the pool. Stalling, maybe. What can I really say to his sister? To his parents?Trust me, I know how hard this is for your daughter. Why? Uh, I just do. No reason. It's not like I'm a recovering addict. You really think I'd keep that from your son? Of course not. I'm not a liar.
Ahem.
