Page 52 of Drawn to You (Chasing Olivia 1)

She makes a grumbling sound in her throat. “Never heard of them.”

“They’re out of Manhattan and deal with large real estate transactions. Have you made any large real estate purchases that I don’t know about?” I hear the edge to my voice, but I haven’t been home five minutes and she’s already starting in with me. Damn Evan. Why did she have to like him so much?

“No,” she remarks, put out. I feel like I’m back in high school. “But sometimes I read the New York Times.” Like that will make her super knowledgeable. “I spoke to Evan today, told him you were back.”

“You did what!” I shriek. “Why?”

“I wanted to talk to Rachael, and he answered the phone,” she says, trying to stifle a smile. “He told me to tell you to call him.” Great. I thought I had until the end of the summer to deal with him. Now that he knows I’m home, he won’t give up. He can be very tenacious when he wants to be. I finish the glass of wine and pour another.

“Stay out of my personal life, please. If I wanted Evan to know I was home, I would have told him.”

“Honey, I’m only trying to help.” She tries to sound semi apologetic, but I know she’s really not sorry.

“I don’t want or need your help.” My voice gets louder by the syllable. She has the audacity to look wounded. I’m the one who should be mad, and she thinks this is about her. I can’t take any more of this tonight.

“You are still my child and will treat me with the respect I deserve.” Her voice is now raised.

“Fine, just don’t talk to Evan. I’m going to bed.” With that, I grab the bags and the bottle of wine along with my glass and make my way up the stairs.

Once upstairs, I hang the garment bag in my closet. Placing the bottle of wine down on the nightstand, I take a long sip. I can’t believe my mother spoke to Evan. What mom does that? Mine, that’s who. She’s has been an overbearing maniac ever since Dad died. I know she wants to be involved in my life, but she can’t live it vicariously through me.

Sometimes I feel that she’s trying to control my life because hers is so out of control. Mom is a control freak, but Dad was there to talk her down. I don’t have the patience that he had. I do love her, and I try my best to be the understanding daughter. I lost him too. I know she’s hurting, but I

can’t deal with the daily mood swings and freak-outs. The sooner I move out and get some space, the better it will be for both of us.

As I take another welcome sip of wine, my cell phone rings. Please, don’t let it be Evan. I reach across the bed to see Chase’s name pop up on the caller ID. He must have programmed that in.

“Hi,” I greet.

“Hi, beautiful,” he purrs into the phone.

“You’re home already?”

“No, I’m driving. I wanted to hear your voice.” His words are warm and seductive, making my heart go into palpitations.

“You shouldn’t be on the phone if you’re driving,” I playfully scold.

“Oh, but I’m not on the phone,” he replies. “It’s connected through the stereo so I’m hands free.” I forgot he has a brand new high tech car. “I was wondering where you might want to go to dinner tomorrow night.”

Oh crap, I totally forgot about that.

“I don’t care, wherever you want.” I lie down on the bed like a teenager talking to her boyfriend.

“I’m not really familiar with Suffolk, being from Nassau. I’m hoping you know of somewhere great near you.”

Oh, I don’t want to choose. Way too much pressure on me. If I choose somewhere expensive, I’ll look like a money hungry whore. If I choose somewhere cheap, I’ll look like I don’t go out often.

“I don’t really know what you like,” I hedge.

“I’ll like anything as long as I’m with you.” I think he can sense my trepidation. “Don’t worry about price. We can go anywhere you want,” he says. There is this one spot I’ve always wanted to try but could never afford. It’s a very trendy restaurant on the north shore that opened up last year. That’s if we can get a reservation. From what I hear, they’re always booked.

“Can I think about it?” I ask pensively.

“Of course, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s okay. There are a few places I have in mind.”

“Good,” he says. “I’ll let you go. I’m sure you want to get some sleep.”

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