Page 33 of You Found Me
Before I can even respond, there’s the telltale beep of the call ending. When she’s done with a conversation, she’s done. I walk through the job site to find Theo and let him know I have to go to Willow Beach. He asks me if everything is okay and I fill him in on the sink debacle.
Close to two hours later, I’m standing in the driveway of my childhood home. There’s another car in the driveway that I don’t recognize, but she always has some kind of visitor—whether it’s a friend or some of the ladies from her church group. I open the front door and walk right in.
I’m about to call out, letting her know I’m here and hear a voice that isn’t my mom’s. The owner of said voice sounds younger than my mom’s friends. When I step into the living room, there’s a woman a bit younger than me sitting next to her.
And it’s right then that I know I’ve been played again.
She agreed to let go of trying to set me up with someone at dinner, but she never said how long she’d hold back from finding me a girlfriend. She introduces me to Shiloh, a new friend from her book club and then excuses herself to go check on lunch.
We both watch her leave, then look at each other before we break out in awkward laughter. Don’t get me wrong, Shiloh is pretty. Long, honey blonde hair, deep emerald eyes, and the biggest dimples. If there was a word to describe her, it would be adorable. Like a true girl next door, and she’s looking at me, sizing me up just as I’m doing to her.
“Sooo,” she draws out, “did you know about this? Because I sure didn’t.”
“I was told she had an issue with the sink, which is why I’m here.”
Her laugh is sweet and melodic. “And I thought I was coming over to drop off the next book we’re reading for book club.”
We look at one another in silence before absolutely losing it. Part of me can’t believe she pulled this on the both of us, but the other part is laughing because I’m an idiot for not expecting a set up.
She says with a smile, “I thought my mom was a meddlesome woman, but I think yours takes the cake.”
We talk for a bit more as my mom preoccupies herself with making lunch, and I learn that Shiloh is a photographer, hoping to get her break in sports photography. I tell her about my connection with Sebastian and that if she wants, I can introduce them. To help her get her foot in the door. She agrees, giving me her number.
Before she finishes reciting it out loud, she adds, “Just so we’re clear, I’m not coming onto you.”
Laughing, I tell her, “I like how direct you are. And same here. However, I do think we should play along today because lunch smells delicious. Plus, it will keep my mom off our case. Deal?”
She agrees and thrusts her hand out. “Deal.”
Mom spends the whole lunch telling me all about Shiloh. Like how her favorite type of books are monster smut romances.
I raise a brow and smirk at Shiloh, thinking I’ll see her embarrassed, but she just looks me dead in the eye and winks. “I like what I like, and I won’t apologize for it.”
We finish eating and begin clearing the table. I let my mom know that after cleaning up I can check the sink for her. And this crazy woman, who gave me life, looks at me as if I’ve grown a third eye.
“What’s wrong with the sink?”
I look at her and then over to Shiloh to see her stifling a laugh. “Are you serious? You called and asked me to come look at it because it was leaking. That’s why I came over on a workday.”
“Hmm. I don’t remember that,” she waves it off. “I’m just glad you came to see me and had the chance to meet my new friend. Maybe you guys can get together for dinner one night. Oh, look at the time! I need to get changed. I’m supposed to help Sally shop for her new grandbaby. Walk Shiloh out to her car on your way out.”
I just stand there dumbfounded, as she heads upstairs. Shiloh busts out in a fit of giggles and starts for the door. When we get to her car, Shiloh turns to me, and I watch as her eye catches something in the direction of the house.
I sigh heavily and ask, “She’s peeking out the window, isn’t she?”
She nods before saying, “It was nice to meet you, though. I’ll be waiting to hear from your cousin.”
“The season is starting up in a few weeks, so I’ll be sure to contact him right away.”
“Perfect.” She quickly glances at the house. “June’s still there. Pretend to kiss me or something. Give your mom a little bit of hope.”
“You’re insane. Don’t try sticking your tongue down my throat,” I say.
“No worries. I don’t think throwing up would give your mom the impression we’re going for.”
“Funny girl.”
We lean into one another and as our lips are about to touch, she puts her hand up, leaving us both to kiss it.
