Page 44 of Waiting for Acceptance
I shake my head to clear my thoughts and head for the door, freezing when I open it.
“Mom?” I couldn’t hide the shock on my face if my life depended on it.
“Please tell me you don’t make a habit of answering the door in such scandalous attire.” She’s clutching her handbag likeit’sappalled by my appearance too.
“Um, no. Typically my attire includes pants, it’s just been a…weird morning.” She’s walking through the door before I can even finish my sentence.
“I sure hope you have a good reason for blowing off Miles Henderson this weekend.”Miles! That’s his name.
“Yeah, Mom. I was kind of busy being a bridesmaid. In my best friend’s wedding.” She actually scoffs. As if that’s not a valid enough reason.
“Yes, I was there for the ceremony, Lauren. Miles would have made a lovely date. He’s very likable, and didn’t I tell you he graduated from Berkley?”
“You did. Which I’m sure is very impressive to someone, however, I wouldn’t care if he wasMr. Berkley, I don’t need you and Dad trying to set me up with someone.”
“Well, wouldn’t it be better than being alo—What in God’s name is that?” She freezes when Ginny hops up on the counter next to me.
“That’s a Ginny.” I smile, scratching underneath Ginny’s chin, earning me a very loud symphony of purrs.
“A cat?” She scrunches her face inobviousdisapproval.
“Yes.”
“It’s on the counter.”
“Yes.”
“Cats don’t belong on the counter. They belong on the floor. Or an alleyway behind a restaurant searching for scraps in a dumpster.” My mouth drops open in surprise.
“That’s amazing. That’s exactly where I found her!” Her eyes pop as she tries to figure out if I’m lying. “I mean, I know it’s not ideal. I could have adopted from a shelter or something but the poor thing was just covered in garbage and my heart couldn’t take it. I had to bring her home.”
“You’re joking.” It’s almost a plea for me to tell her that I am.
“Yes, Mother. I found her at Tank and Ruby’s house.”
“Oh.” I see her visibly relax and close my eyes to keep them from rolling. I’m annoyed by the fact that Fitz has made me realize how often I do that. “You will call Miles today and apologize andifhe happens to be forgiving enough to reschedule the date, you willgo.”
“Um, no.”
“What do you mean,no?” Ginny runs into the other room, likely frightened by my mother’s tone and I envy that she has the option to do so.
Here we go. Moment of…fake truth.
“I mean no, I won’t be going out with him. I’ll apologize for the misunderstanding but that’s about all I can offer you.”
“What misunderstanding?” I imagine she would have frown lines if her Botox injections didn’t keep her from showing emotion.
“I’m seeing someone else, Mom.” Her body language changes as she looks at me.
“Who?”
“Um, his name is Fitz.” She rolls her eyes.
“How pretentious.”
Oh fuck meeeee. Am I turning into my mother?
“It sounds like he works at a skateboard shop or a Dairy Queen or something.”
