Page 80 of A Really Bad Idea

And yet I’m confused. Confused because, for the first time, I’m wondering if it was a blessing in disguise. This notion is so foreign that I don’t know how to process it, so I don’t. I look toward the brunette waiting for Brock, holding their coffees, and then behind me to Angela, who is glaring at Brock from beneath her sunglasses.

“I have to get back to work,” I say as I walk to the door. Because, really, what else is there to say?

“It’s been a crazy week of late-night office hours. I haven’t even gotten my nails done,” I say to my mother on the other end of the phone.

She’s been talking to me for twenty minutes about the new spa she goes to where they have a five-hour revitalization package.

“Don’t let your eyebrows go. They get bushy. I blame your grandmother.”

“Why do you always blame my negative attributes on the Duvane side of the family?” I ask. My hands are in a sink of soapy water as I clean up from dinner.

“Because my side of the family is perfect. And hairless. I haven’t shaved my legs since 1999.”

“That’s because you had it lasered off,” I deadpan.

“I wasn’t that hairy to begin with. I could have been a leg model.” She’s not even being vain. My mother was a pageant queen and still rocks a bathing suit at the age of fifty-nine.

“You do have perfectly shaped calves.” I push my hair off my forehead with the back of my wrist.

“You’re welcome. You get those from me,” she chides.

I laugh and place a plate in the drying rack. “How are you feeling?”

“Good. Tired. I slept most of the day, which was a total waste. Judith Kent took my place in bridge today. She was so pleased when I called to tell her. The woman’s been dying to take my spot at the table. It’s fine. I’m feeling better now that I know you’re seeing someone.”

The glass in my hand slips through my fingers and back into the sink. “Why would you say that?”

“Aaron Vaducci told his mother you’d told him you were seeing someone. She told Judith Kent. Really, Meadow, it’s a small circle of friends we have. Nothing you do will ever get past me.”

I close my eyes, not prepared to have this conversation. So, I do the next best thing. I fib a little. “I only told him that to ward him off. It was easier than saying I wasn’t interested.”

“What in the world is wrong with a handsome dentist?”

Nothing. He’s just not a handsome heart surgeon who promised to have a baby with me.

“He’s very nice, but we’re not a good fit.”

“You two were chatting up a storm at my house. Really, Meadow, your criteria for men is worrisome. Now, don’t get me wrong; I know modern women are adamant that you don’t need a man to be happy. I agree with that.” She pauses for a long moment. I think she’s taking a dramatic interlude until she lets out a long sigh-like breath. “Sorry, I had to catch my breath for a moment.”

“Are you okay? It’s not like you to be so tired.”

“I’m fine. My point is, your father and I won’t be around forever, and I don’t want you to be alone.”

“You’re not even at retirement age, so you can’t play that card yet. And don’t worry about me. I have Dylan and Aiden to take care of me in my old age.”

“Have you given any consideration to freezing your eggs?”

I pause, running the sponge along the inside of a pot. “I read the brochure.” I metaphorically pat myself on the back for not lying.

“Consider it.”

“I am.” I rinse the pot and then dry it with a dish towel. “Just give me a little time.”

“You always were my dreamer. Brian is the practical one.”

I let out the water, watch it empty down the drain, and sigh. “Maybe I’m still dreaming. There’s a guy out there who is going to make all my wishes come true.”

“You did meet someone!” Her yelp has me nearly dropping the phone.