Page 72 of Fresh Canvas
AMANTHA: Pack a change of clothes, a swimsuit, and don’t ask questions.
VAL: Good Lord, how long will I be staying?!
AMANTHA: What part of “don’t ask questions” did you not understand? Can’t wait to see you!
“Trouble, trouble, trouble…” I shook my head with a grin and headed to the shower.
AMANTHA
I puzzled at the sight of a foreign black car pulling into my driveway. Had I been shamelessly watching out the window for Val to arrive?
No comment.
My heart skittered as he stepped out of the back seat, hoisting a small bag alongside him. He waved goodbye to who I could only assume was a car service as they backed away and drove off.
I felt myself turn into a cartoon—an eye bugging, drool dripping, massive heart beating cartoon. There wasn’t a boring button-up in sight. Instead, the son-of-a-gun wore dark tinted sunglasses and jeans. Tanned collarbones presented themselves through his unbuttoned black polo. Now that I knew what lay beneath, I was fully able to appreciate the clinging fit that emphasized his muscles.
“Mom, he’s here!” I winced, sounding too much like a fifteen-year-old going on her first date.
This whole situation felt bizarre. How long had it been since I’d been on a first date, if that even was what this was?
And since when had I ever voraciously made out with a co-worker I’d hated only a few days prior?
Never. The correct answer wasnever.
Sighing, I nervously checked my appearance in the mirror. I had swapped my shorts for fitted jeans and a plain white t-shirt. Kate would have been so disappointed.
My boring dishwater-blonde waves tumbled down my back. I had debated on curling them, but they never looked quite right when I did. I smoothed a thin layer of lip balm across my lips and took a deep breath.
I had already sworn Mom, under oath, not to embarrass me. In fact, Mom even insisted on spending the day at a friend’s house after meeting Val to give us some alone time.
I flung open the door before Val could ring the doorbell.
“Hi.” I said, breathless.
A warm smile spread across Val’s handsome face, though a spark ignited deep in his russet eyes. “Hi.”
Mr. Fluff Buttons ran to the door in a dire escape attempt, but I scooped him up. “This is my mom’s new cat, apparently.”
Val scratched him between the ears. “So, this is Mr. Fluff Buttons?”
“Yup.” I pushed my hip against the door, widening the opening. My pulse skipped a beat as he brushed past. Val Russo standing inside my home of eleven years—Anthony’shome—felt strange. Like two worlds overlapping. I didn’t dislike it, but it would take some getting used to.
Mom bustled down the hallway, stopping abruptly at the sight of Val’s tall, dark, and handsome presence. She gave him an obvious once over.
“Hel-lo there.”
My eyes shot daggers from behind Val’s back as I silently mouthed, “Be cool!”
My mother regained her composure and shook Val’s hand. “I’m Susan, Amantha’s mom. I must say, I’ve heardquitea lot about you.”
I clapped a hand to my scarlet face. “O-kay, Mom. That’s enough.”
Val’s mischievous eyes took in my flustered expression.
Turning back to Mom, he said, “It’s so nice to meet you, Susan. You know, I’dloveto chat and hear more about all of these things she’s told you.”
“No. No, you wouldn’t.” I shook my head furiously.
