Page 50 of The Fake Out

Subtle, they were not. “I guess you heard.”

“What would that be?” Mama asked, barely keeping her smile at bay.

I sighed. “I have a date.”

Iris tried to look bored. “I heard it was with Chris Sterns.”

“Yes.”

“Huh.” But I could see she was interested, even a little impressed. “He’s kind of hot.”

Mama put her arm around my shoulders. “He’s such a nice young man. Do you know he fixed our dishwasher? Only took him a few minutes.”

“All I know is that he is one fine specimen,” Sue said. “Though I haven’t seen him up close yet. When’s he picking you up?”

“Six thirty.”

“Excellent.” Sue rubbed her hands together.

“Maybe I should make up some cookies? Or some banana bread?” Mama said. “Something to offer him. You think?”

“A boy like him must eat an awful lot.” Sue helped Mama to her feet and handed her the walker. The two of them shuffled toward the kitchen. “Maybe we should make him a meatloaf. He needs protein.”

“Do not make a meatloaf,” I yelled at their receding backs. “Or anything else. He’ll only be here for a few minutes to pick me up.”

Sue turned. “Well, now, we need to make sure he keeps his strength up for that goodnight kiss.”

Seriously. How was this my life?

I tried on three different outfits before deciding on a soft green knee-length sundress, a pair of cowboy boots, and gold hoop earrings. With a bit of makeup and my hair braided loosely, I was ready fifteen minutes early. That gave me plenty of time to stare at myself in the mirror for far too long. I switched out the earrings and left my hair down. Then I got annoyed at myself for wasting this much energy on a fake date.

Mama and Sue managed to whip up a batch of brownies and a veggie tray. The three of them piled back on the sofa by the time Chris knocked on the door.

“You want me to answer?” Sue asked.

But she looked so comfy sitting on the couch, eating a bag of popcorn with a slightly deranged look of excitement on her face, I told her no.

With a flourish, Chris whipped out a bouquet of roses from behind his back when I opened the door. “For you, madam.”

“Oh, thank you.” I took them and stood back so he could pass by. “Enter at own risk.”

He brushed by me, that same clean, warm smell hitting me immediately. I introduced him to the welcome committee, although he’d met two of them.

“Oh, my. Did you bring flowers?” Sue said. “Those are beautiful.”

A dozen, gorgeous dewy pale-pink roses just beginning to unfurl. I wondered where he’d gotten them. They were most definitely not grocery store flowers.

Iris smirked. “Mae hates roses.”

“Iris!” I turned to Chris and hesitated ever so slightly before I put a hand on his arm. PDA, Mae. PDA. “They are lovely. Truly. I’ll go put them in water.”

As I rushed to the kitchen, I heard Mama offer Chris brownies.

“I don’t want to spoil my dinner,” he said.

“Come on now,” Sue said as I returned. “Just a brownie or two so you can keep your strength up.”

I sighed. “Just do it or they won’t let us leave.”