Page 99 of Hale Yes
“Thank you, Nicolette. I needed that pep talk.” She dusts off her manicured hands. “Nothing like a little bit of shared girl power in the restroom to get the day started.”
“Amen.”
She blinks her pretty brown eyes and regards me. “Are you going to be okay, Nicolette?”
“Oh, sure. Just a momentary freak-out. I’m fine.”
Ophelia nods. “Good. Just be careful with your young man, Nicolette. Commitment-phobes are difficult to change. Many a woman has tried and failed. Protect your heart at all costs.” Her smile is back, this time looking mischievous. “To paraphrase Johnny Cochran, if he doesn’t commit, you must quit. Honey, if he doesn’t see your worth, then fuck him. Pardon my French.”
I can’t help my giggle at this elegant woman dropping the f-bomb. “Oh, you don’t even need to apologize for that, given the things you heard me say. I spoke French and then some. I was practically multi-lingual.”
“That’s all right, dear. I raised boys, so there’s not much I haven’t heard before.” She rolls her eyes. “Good lord, those three. The trouble they got into when they were younger. Remington was wild as a march hare in high school but calmed down in college and got serious.”
Did she say Remington? And three sons?A pit begins to open up in my stomach as Ophelia continues her reminiscing.
“Phoenix was mostly the instigator, and I’m not being unkind by saying that. He’ll tell you himself. I was always happening upon some booby trap or other after he and his twin watchedHome Alone. It was a complete madhouse at times.”
Phoenix? Twin? This has to be a coincidence. Surely…
“And what is his twin’s name?” I croak out, bracing myself for the answer.
“Helix. Ah, he’s such a sweet and smart young man. Now he’s the kind of man you need to be looking for. So polite and unassuming.” Ophelia straightens her jacket and pats her perfectly coiffed dark hair as I attempt to not throw up. “It was so nice to meet you, Nicolette, but I’m headed home. Good luck with everything today. I hope you get everything you wish for.”
And she’s gone in a puff of flowery perfume, leaving me standing in the restroom with my mouth on the floor.
I’m going to have to leave the country, I decide. Or better yet, the planet. I could probably qualify for one of those civilian space flights. I could study the effects of space on my brain as I contemplate my life choices.
But that would probably take a while to get set up. No, I need something more immediate. Perhaps I could sneak into the kitchen and stick my head in the oven. Asphyxiation generally takes less than five minutes. Restaurant kitchens are chaotic places, and no one would notice a convulsing woman with her head in an oven, right?
Fuck me with an Erlenmeyer flask. This is a nightmare.
I take a cleansing breath and try to think of a solution besides imminent death or launching myself into space. Okay. All right. I’ll just remain calm and go out there and tell Helix I’m not feeling well and would like to go home. Then I’ll just let this thing between us fizzle and die.
Because if we date, it’s inevitable that he’ll want to introduce me to his mother. I’ve already met most of the rest of his family, so that would be the next logical step. But I can never face that woman again. I discussed her son’s big cock and called him depraved, for fuck’s sake.
Polite and unassuming young man, my ass.
Ophelia said she was leaving, so I’ll give it another minute and then put this hastily formed plan into place.
And I’ll never have to see Helix’s mother again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The dreaded geranium story
Helix
I glance around the restaurant for the millionth time and then check my phone. Nicolette has been in the restroom for a long time, and I’m starting to get worried.
Maybe she’s sick. Oh, or maybe she started her period and doesn’t have any supplies with her. I should probably text her. If it’s her time of the month, I can dart out right quick and grab her whatever she needs from the 7-11 down the block. Come to think of it, she was wearing white shorts, so I might need to grab her a new pair if that’s the problem. I’m sure I could find something in one of the boutiques around here.
I lift my phone to text her when a flash of familiar dark hair catches my eye. “Mom?”
My mother turns around, and her face lights up. “Helix!” I stand and bend to kiss her cheek when she walks over.
“Mom, you look so pretty today,” I tell her, running a hand down the sleeve of her Chanel suit. “Did you already eat?”
“Thank you, sweetheart, and yes. I dined with Grace this morning, but she’s already gone. Had to pick up her grandson.”
