Page 16 of The Friendship Pact

“You can’t plan on falling in love, Katelyn. I never planned to fall head over heels for your father either. Promise me you won’t let your experience with Jacques sour your view on relationships.”

Kate listened to her mother recount, for the umpteenth time, how her dad “swept her off her feet” and what a “fairy tale” it had been. There was no use arguing with her mother when it came to her love life. The terms hopeless romantic, reader of romance, and notorious matchmaker summed up her mom.

“I actually met someone.” As soon as the words left Kate’s mouth, she chastised herself. But in the spirit of wanting to please her mother and not cause any more undue worry, what could a little exaggeration hurt?

“Really? Why didn’t you say so? Tell me about him. I want all the details.”

“And that’s my cue to leave. Love you, sweetheart.” Kate’s dad stood and motioned for his wife to sit.

“Love you too, Dad.”

Her mom squealed with excitement. “Okay, your dad is in the other room. Tell me all about your new man. Don’t leave out any details.”

“Well—he’s handsome.”

Her mom’s smile grew wider as she sat on the edge of her chair, her face filling the screen. “That’s always a plus. What else?”

“We had dinner together. Leftovers.”

“Katelyn,” her mom admonished. “You can’t feed your new man leftovers.”

“To be fair, I had already dished out a plate of Aunt Helen’s Thanksgiving leftovers for myself when he stopped by to apologize.”

“Apologize? Already? What did he do?”

“Not important. I promise to tell you all about it when you visit.” She knew her mom was like a dog with a bone when it came to details, but she wasn’t quick enough to come up with a plausible lie.

Was it untrue, technically, to say there was a new man in her life? She didn’t actually say they were dating, just that she had met someone. If her mom wanted to assume they were dating, well . . . Nope. She inwardly cringed as she outwardly fibbed. At least her parents wouldn’t be visiting until spring, giving her time to “break up” with her lie.

“Kate?”

“What?” She had zoned out, dwelling on her deception.

“What’s his name?”

“Oh. Umm . . . Nick.” Now she’d done it.

She needed to change the subject fast. “I almost forgot. I sent you the latest L.C. Brooks book. She signed it for you.”

“And that’s why you’re my favorite daughter!”

Kate chuckled. “I’m your only daughter.”

“Tomato-tomahto. I can’t believe you live in the same town as L.C. Brooks. That settles it. We’re coming for Christmas. I can’t wait to meet her!”

Kate had just taken a sip of her hot chocolate, and she coughed, the hot liquid burning her throat.

“What?” She needed to think fast. “I thought you were coming for my grand opening. You hate winter, and you hate traveling during the holidays.”

“True, but we love you more, and we’re excited to meet your new man.”

Kate hoped her mom didn’t notice the panic on her face. “You don’t want to spend the money to visit me twice in six months,” she pleaded. Her mom ran a tight budget since they’d retired. She hoped the emphasis on money and the busy traveling season would persuade her to rethink the spur-of-the-moment decision, something her mom was known for.

“Besides, Paige, or as you know her, L.C. Brooks, will be on her honeymoon. Maybe it’s best to wait until my grand opening.” She almost tacked on “and not make any rash decisions,” but she knew that would make her mom dig her heels in, and she’d book a flight to Minnesota before she hung up.

“Let me talk to your father, and I’ll let you know.”

A knock sounded on Kate’s door. “Mom, there’s someone here. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you next week. Love you.”