Page 53 of Remember (Symbols of Love 2)

I feel slightly ashamed. He was just being nice, and I'm being difficult, but I won’t go quietly into the night.

“Thank you. I’d love a ride, but please next time just ask me instead of ordering me.”

I turn and walk toward the door. I can feel the weight and the heat of Dean’s gaze on my back, and I add an extra twist to my hip with each step, just as I reach the door, I hear him groan.

It makes me smile.

22

“You’re wearing that?” Rabea says from her perch on my couch. She's visiting my mother tonight.

Kevin came to pick Anthony up earlier and it was uneventful. Anthony was excited to spend the night with his dad. I’m a nervous wreck, but I hope it will work out. As much as I'm starting to dislike Kevin, I recognize the need for Anthony to have a good relationship with his father. So, I’ve sent him off with a smile and encouragement that he should have a great time.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I look down at my black skinny jeans, gray knit top, and some cute but comfortable ankle boots. “He said to dress casually.”

“Well, I guess you’re not trying to get any tonight then,” she says and turns back to whatever she's watching in the living room.

I continue down the stairs, through the living room and into the kitchen where my mother is busy getting something ready for them.

“Oh, Milly, I'm so excited, the Sound of Music is on tonight!” She starts talking as I walk in even though her back is to me. “We’re going to eat schnitzel and sauerkraut in honor of the movie. It’s almost ready.”

She turns around, takes me in, and her smile falls slightly.

“Oh. You look . . . nice,” she says with a forced cheeriness.

“Oh, my goodness. He said to dress casually!” I throw my hands up and run out of the room. Clearly, my outfit lacks any sort of sex appeal.

I go back up to my bedroom and rip my top off and step into my closet. My mother and Rabea had been so excited when I told them about Dean and even though I’ve asked them to keep it to themselves for the time being, they are both acting like I'm going to the prom tonight. Rabea’s sudden appearance tonight couldn’t have been less obvious.

I decide on a camel colored blouse that ties at the waist with a thin gold belt. I don’t want to look like I spent hours working on my outfit.

I'm just fixing my ponytail, which is high and tight, when I hear the doorbell ring.

“Shit!” I grumble. I race downstairs to open the door for him before my mother or Rabea can.

Our car ride home last night was uneventful. He was lost in thought as we got in the car and I, to my everlasting embarrassment, fell asleep almost as soon as we pulled away from the curb.

He woke me up when we pulled up in front of my house, and I was just grateful I wasn’t drooling.

When he asked to walk me to the door, I didn’t protest. I was almost delirious with sleep. He kissed me softly as I let myself in, and I floated up the stairs and straight into bed.

I’ve only heard from him once today, this morning saying he’d pick me up around five thirty in the evening.

He’s early.

I sprint down the stairs. But I know I’m too late, I can hear my mother’s voice and then Dean’s in response.

I close my eyes and steel myself for what I will find when I walk into the room.

“It’s one of my favorite movies. I usually watch it every Christmas.” Dean is saying to my beaming mother as I walk into the room.

They all turn to face me.

“Milly!” My mother exclaims as if she didn’t expect to see me.

“Yes, Mother?” I say as I stand here, feeling for a moment like I was intruding. Dean starts toward me then, and once his back is turned to my mother and Rabea, they both smile beamingly at me like Prince Harry just swooped in and asked me to marry him. He places a kiss on my cheek, inhales and says so only I could hear, “Red . . . you smell divine.”

I squeezed my thighs together as I remember him using that same word last night at the restaurant. “Hi, Dean.” I smile in return.

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