Page 20 of Saffron and Secrets

We all know how much she loves James. She loves how rich he is and how he's getting married. She didn't like Abigail being from a small town, but she seems to have moved on from that, considering how successful James is. It overrides that in her mind.

Ruby clears her throat.

Shit. I have to introduce Ruby to Mom.

“Why don't you introduce me to your friend?”

The way she says “friend” annoys me. I want her to go away.

Instead, I continue, “Mom, this is my friend, Ruby. Ruby, this is my mother.”

I don't even bother with names because I don't want her to know my full name, but my mom knows how to ruin my life.

“Monica Black.”

I peer over to Ruby to see if that name rings any bells.

It doesn't look like it.

I let out a long breath I was holding. Now, if she hasn't registered Monica Black, then maybe she won't put together my name—Jonathan Black.

It's a name that most people around Chicago know.

“Did you want to sit down, Monica? And join us for coffee,” Ruby offers politely, too nice if you ask me. She doesn’t realize I’m fighting with them over my future.

I bite my lip to hold back a smile at the way my mother’s eye ticks from not getting called Mrs. Black.

“Thanks for the offer, love, and well, I would have joined, but I must get going. I have to meet a friend here.”

I sit back in the chair a little to look up at her and ask, “I was wondering what you were doing in this part of town.”

“It's not a bad part of town, son. I don't know what you're talking about. It's not my favorite, but you know it has…” She looks around the street before continuing, “It has character.”

Meaning it’s not classy, in my mom’s words.

“I must go now. Ruby, it was lovely to meet you. Maybe I'll catch you again sometime.” My mom offers her a fake smile.

Ruby, being the sweet, sincere person she is, offers her a friendly smile and says, “Maybe.”

“Bye, Mom,” I say.

I bet Mom’s gonna drill me about this soon. I’ll get the call by four o’clock from her, wanting to know everything about Ruby. So she can investigate her. I know her tricks now.

Once she spins around on her Louis Vuitton and her back is away from us, I feel the air leave my lungs in a sigh. I can breathe easier. The waitress brings our coffee over and I've never looked forward to a drink in my life. But I wish it was a little bit stronger than coffee. I take a sip anyway, relieved at the liquid coating my dry throat.

“Your mother seems nice.”

I burst out laughing. “You think that woman is nice? I don't. She's judgmental and stuck up.” And I want to say so unlike me, but I think I've been harsh enough.

“She seems nice.” She shrugs.

I say nothing back, not wanting to bring this date down. Instead, I sip the coffee and ask her, “How was work this week?”

“It's been pretty good. The usual clients coming in and a few new ones but nothing else. You?”

“Just running around for James as he wins more jobs.”

She sips her coffee before lowering it. “What are your plans this weekend?”

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