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“Courtney!” Mom says as soon as I’m out of my car. She comes rushing toward me with a huge grin on her face and wraps me up in a hug. “I missed you.”
I can’t help but smile. “I missed you too, Mom.” I return her embrace and internally scold myself for ignoring her all week. She might be a helicopter mom, but she loves me and my sister fiercely. I can’t fault her for that, even if her hovering drives me crazy.
Pulling out of our hug, she says, “Come on. Cheesy breadsticks are calling my name.” She loops her arm through mine and leads us inside the small pizza joint. She lets go of her hold on me and weaves through the tables to a booth midway through the room. She slides in one side, and I settle opposite her and reach for a menu even though I have it memorized.
“So, how about we split a pizza? What sounds good?” Mom asks.
I look up at her and grin, and we both reply at the same time, “Hawaiian.” We laugh, and the tension from dreading this dinner floats away. I love my mother, and I know her heart is in the right place. Dinner, just the two of us, is a rarity, so I want to enjoy it.
We place our order, and I sit back in the booth, waiting for the inquisition. “Let’s have it,” I say, knowing she’s chomping at the bit to ask questions about Merrick. Questions I don’t want to answer because I still need to call him and offer him an out. If he declines, I need to plan for him to have dinner with my parents and me. It’s stressful.
Mom grins and holds her hands in the air. “I’m not going to. Not tonight,” she adds quickly with a laugh. “I just want to spend time with my daughter. I know I come on strong sometimes, and you’ve avoided me all week because of that.” She points an index finger at me. “I’m calling you tomorrow, though.” Her eyes twinkle, and I toss my head back in laughter.
“Fair enough.” Our waitress delivers our drinks, and I immediately take a sip of my root beer. “So, how have you been?”
Her eyes twinkle. It’s killing her not to ask me, and very rarely does she give me a pass, so I’m taking it.
“Good. Chloe is pretty much done with the wedding plans,” she replies, taking a long pull of her Diet Coke.
“Yeah, she texted me and said it was all done. She’s so organized and the least high-maintenance bride, so I’m not surprised.”
“Yeah.” Mom smiles. “She wanted simple and elegant.”
“It’s going to be beautiful,” I agree. Despite my mother's insistence I need a date. I’m thrilled my baby sister is marrying her best friend.
Mom starts to say something, but her eyes grow wide, and a grin tugs at her lips as she looks past me. I turn to see what’s got her smiling like she just won the lottery and my breath hitches. Merrick Kincaid, his brothers, and his cousin’s husband, Deacon, are standing at the entrance looking like Greek gods. How is it that one family has so many good-looking men? Those Kincaid genes are on point.
I quickly turn back around and reach for my drink. My throat is suddenly dry. I quickly place the glass back on the table to hide the slight tremble in my hands.
“Aren’t you going to go say hi?” Mom asks.
“He’s with his brothers.” I’m surprised I can keep my voice calm and even when my insides are twisting in panic.
“He’s your boyfriend, Courtney. He’s not going to care if you go say hello.” She gives me a look that tells me she thinks I’ve lost my mind, insinuating I’d be interrupting him.
I try again, “It’s guys' night.” Mom’s eyes light up, and I know that means they’re moving in our direction. There’s a large table a few spots from ours, and I’m sure that’s where they’re headed. When they get closer, I close my eyes, willing this booth to allow me to sink into the ripped pleather material and fade away from this moment.
“Ladies.”
I hear his sexy voice, followed by a hand on my shoulder as I slowly open my eyes. Merrick is smiling down at me. He moves slowly and I swallow hard as he presses a kiss to my cheek. My skin tingles where his lips just were.
“Hey, babe,” he greets me.
He doesn’t use his inside voice, which is why my mother’s “Aw” fills the air between us.
Merrick stands back to his full height but keeps his hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.” He keeps his eyes locked on mine, and he’s cool as a damn cucumber. This impromptu little meeting doesn’t seem to faze him in the least.
My shoulder is on fire from his touch as the heat of him seeps through the fabric of my shirt. It’s a warmth that I don’t hate. “Last-minute dinner plans,” I say. I sit up a little straighter, proud of myself for keeping my voice even.
“I was just telling Courtney that we need to have dinner together. Her father and I would love to host you.”
I’m internally rolling my eyes at my mother. She doesn’t talk like that. She’s doing it for his benefit. She’s trying to sound proper to my “boyfriend” to make a good impression. Too bad it’s a wasted effort on her part.
This is all pretend.
“Definitely.” Merrick nods to my mother as he turns his gaze to me. “Just tell me when and where.” He smiles, and somehow that simple act has the tension bleeding out of me.
“Yeah,” I say lamely.
