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Oh, I did not like the sound of that.

“Looking forward to meeting you too. See you tomorrow.”

He ended the call. Ended it. With my mother. Without consulting me. He handed it back to me, and I stared at the black screen. Then at him.

“What did she say?” I asked.

“Not much.”

I snorted. That was like saying the Pacific Ocean was a little damp. “Damon.”

He studied my face. “You breathing okay?”

“Yes.”

“Dizzy?”

“No.”

“Chest still tight?”

“A little.”

He nodded toward the game chair. “Sit for a minute.”

I wanted to argue.

Unfortunately, my legs were still doing a convincing impression of overcooked spaghetti. I sat.

He crouched in front of me, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Better?”

I nodded.

His eyes held mine for a moment longer before he stood.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, but you can tell me what my mother said.”

“She told me I'm picking her up at the airport.”

My mouth fell open and I stood up. “No.”

“Afraid so.”

He grinned.

Actually grinned.

Like he'd just told me he'd picked up milk on his way home instead of casually agreeing to spend an hour trapped in a moving vehicle with Claudia Parsons.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“It's happening.”

He turned toward the hallway. I followed. “Damon, I'm serious. I already hired a car service.”

I'd arranged it because tomorrow was spa day with Julissa and my aunts. When I'd mentioned possibly missing part of it to pick up Mom, Julissa had reacted as if I'd announced I was donating a kidney without telling her.