Page 45 of Powerless

“Well.” My brows rise as a small smile stretches my lips. “That would be awesome if you did.”

“You’d like that?”

“I would.”

There’s a knock on the door and Bennett and I look at each other. “Why are they knocking? They have keys.” Bennett stands, walks over to the door, and opens it. I’m expecting to hear Liam or Jen’s voice, but instead I hear Bennett say, “Mom. What are you doing here?”

Shit. I drop the knife and run into the bedroom to clear away the photos Bennett and I have. I then duck into Jen and Liam’s room, and push the beds together. This is something we knew could happen, but hoped it never did. I take my phone out of my pocket and send Liam and Jen a message.

9-1-1 Bennett’s mom is here.

Liam’s reply is instant.

Shit.

Jen also replies with the same choice words.

I scan myself in the mirror to make sure my lips don’t look like I’ve been kissing Bennett. I run my hands down my t-shirt before taking a calming breath and walking out to greet Mrs. Adams.

“Kathryn,” his mom says graciously.

“Mrs. Adams, it’s nice to see you again.”

There’s a fine line of sweat covering Bennett’s hair line as he stands before his mother. He tucks his hands into his armpits and shifts from foot to foot. He has to calm down or he’ll give it all away to his mom. “What are you doing here, Mom? Is everything okay?” Bennett looks to the door, as if he’s waiting for someone.

Double crap, is his father here too?

“I wanted to come see my son, and the apartment he’s living in. Where’s Jen, is she here?” His mom looks around our small apartment, then lands on the food I’m cooking.

“Jen will be home soon,” Bennett replies.

“Would you like to stay for dinner, Mrs. Adams?”

She walks into the kitchen and looks at the ground beef simmering in the pan. “What are you having?”

“I’m making my signature nachos. It’s my turn to cook.” I smile broadly at her, hoping she can’t sense how Bennett and I feel about one another.

“Thank you. Are you sure you’ve made enough to include me?”

“Positive. I usually have left overs which Bennett and Liam clean up the next day.”

She shrugs out of her thin cardigan and hands it to Bennett. “Then I’d love to stay. Thank you.”

“Would you like a drink, Mom?”

“What’s on offer?”

“Just soda or water.”

“Water is fine, thank you.” His mom is a picture of perfection. She speaks with eloquence and carries herself with an air of authority. I’ve never really noticed how articulate or pristine she actually is.

“I think Liam and Jen will be home soon,” I say as I continue adding the ingredients to the salsa. Sure enough, not even a few heartbeats pass before the front door opens. “There they are.”

Liam strolls in first, makes a beeline to me, and plants a kiss on my lips. Bennett turns in his chair and grinds his jaw. “Hey, Mrs. Adams, what are you doing here?” Liam says playing the part of my doting boyfriend. He walks over to Bennett’s mom and places a kiss on her cheek.

“It’s always good to see you, Liam. Are you looking after my boy?”

“Mom,” Bennett grumbles.

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