Page 66 of For The Weekend
“My mom. She texted me.”
“What did she say?”
“She’s mad.”
His nostrils flare slightly, and he’s got that angry bull thing going on, but he’s not my real boyfriend and he can’t continue to fight my battles for me.
“It’s fine.” I tap his forearms, signaling him to let me go. Which he does. Eventually.
“I don’t believe you,” he says, stepping back. “But I have to get home to Mazie.”
“Of course.” I paste on a smile. Not convincing enough, I guess, because he frowns.
Though I don’t give him another chance to show me how he knows me better than almost everyone else in my life after only a few weeks, as I pull him to the front door. And I do meanpull. This motherfucker is a tank, and he doesn’t travel easily.
“I don’t like leaving you to deal with this alone,” he says as I try to shove him out the door.
“It’s okay,” I pant. He doesn’t budge. “I’m used to handling my mom.”
He’s rock solid, unmoving. “You shouldn’t have to be used to it.”
“Maybe not, but I am.” I wrap my arms around him and drive. Finally, he shifts, too easily. Not because of my tremendous tackling form but because he stepped back, taking me with him. I tilt my head up. “Anyway, I’ll be fine. I promise.”
He smooths his hands down my back, still unconvinced and evidently unimpressed by my athleticism.
“Text me later,” he says, and I acquiesce with a nod. Thenhe dips his head to press a kiss to my lips. “Take care of yourself, Eloise.”
“You too.”
After another few moments, during which I consider begging him to stay or take me with him, Roman finally pivots and heads down the hall to the elevator. I watch until he disappears inside, then close my door.
Leaning against it, I take a deep breath. I already miss him, miss the safety and comfort I felt all weekend. But I meant what I said—I’m used to handling my mom. As unpleasant as it is, this is nothing new.
Squaring my shoulders, I march back to the bedroom. Time to call her and get this over with. The sooner I let her vent, the sooner we can move on.
At least, I hope so. Knowing my mom, she’ll probably drag this out as long as possible.
But I have my memories of my weekend with Roman to keep me warm. No matter what she says, she can’t take those away.
Chapter 19
Roman
It’s not until a little after eight o’clock that Eloise finally texts me. Mazie’s in the bathroom with bubbles up to her eyeballs, but since she always requires me to stay close in case she needs help, I lounge in the hall on my back with Steve sniffing around my ear.
Sunshine
What do you call an angry baker?
?
Sunshine
A sourdough!
Was that a joke?
Sunshine
