Page 68 of Fresh Canvas
Sighing, I called Blythe and gave my best performance of a woman with a severe head cold. There was just no possibility of seeing Val without engaging him in tackle football with lips and tongues.
Blythe wished me well and hung up.
There. I now had today and tomorrow to pull up my big girl panties and get a grip. The adrenaline coursing through my veins made me realize that sitting at home for the next few days was not an option.
Not wanting to be caught faking sick, I packed a weekend bag to go visit my mom. After a quick shower, I rummaged in my closet for something to wear.
Val’s navy jacket was still where I had left it, puddled on the floor. I picked it up, running my hands over the now-dry fabric.Smiling, I zipped the essence of Val’s intoxicating cologne over my tank top.
It was longer than my shorts, I felt like a child in it, and it was summertime, but I didn’t care.
I was wearing it.
Parked in the driveway of my suburban home, I shut off the engine and picked up my phone. After a few seconds, I found the dusty contact I previously would have only ever texted at gunpoint. I chuckled at the name I’d assigned Val months ago: Val Grumpelstiltskin.
AMANTHA: I swear I’m not avoiding you. I’m taking a few days off so I don’t kiss you at work. If anyone asks, I told Blythe I’ve got a cold. Call me later?
I didn’t expect a text back right away, since Val’s phone usually stayed glued to the magnetic charger on his desk. But I knew he’d eventually see it, and he’d call.
Unless he had regrets about last night…
I chewed my lip. He wouldn’t have written me that note if he didn’t care. Right?
Mom appeared by my car door with a smile, so I stepped out and gave her a hug.
“Sweetie! It’s so nice to have you home! Why are you wearing a jacket in this heat?” She fanned herself as she scanned the cloudless sky, then stepped closer and poked her nose in the air beside me. “And are you wearingcologne?”
I laughed. “Nice to see you too, Mom.”
Mom stepped into my path and held up her hands. “Don’t be mad.”
I appraised her with a confused look.
“Well… I was lonely, and he was cute, and?—”
“Mom! Is there a strange man in my house?!”
Mom guffawed at that. “Amantha Adams! You are too much sometimes.” She opened the door, returning with a scowling white cat. “Meet Mr. Fluff Buttons.”
My jaw dropped. “You got a cat and didn’t tell me?”
Mom shrugged and stroked his white fur. “I always wanted one, but I knew Ryan was deathly allergic…” Her blue eyes turned stormy. “Come to think of it, I should have bought one a long time ago.”
“Mom. We’ve been over this. You can’t use cats as weapons.”
“Try me.” She picked up my bag with her free hand and winked. “Come on, now. Tell me all about him.”
“Who?” I flushed.
Mom rolled her eyes, gesturing to Val’s jacket. “Him.”
I tried to fight my smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I headed straight to my bedroom. Mr. Fluff Buttons had the audacity to dart past and curl up on my plush bedspread. I dumped the contents of my bag as Mom bustled in behind me.
“Don’t even try to hide it, honey. I haven’t seen pink on your cheeks like that since the seventh grade.” Mom plopped into the rocking chair I used for Anthony’s night feedings a decade ago. “Might as well tell me.”
I bit my lip, trying to keep from smiling like a maniac. “It’s Val.”
Mom immediately choked, either from air or saliva, or maybe both.
