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“Oh, thank you for the offer, but I’m back on my diet again.” He pats his ample belly.
I narrow my eyes at him. “I saw you eating a big slice of pie last night.”
“The diet started just… this morning.”
“These can’t be that bad.” I grab a cookie and take a bite. I immediately run to the garbage and spit it out. “That was disgusting. I swear I followed all the directions.”
“I think you forgot the sugar and maybe added a bit too much salt,” Mom says.
“I put in what they said. ATof salt.”
“Was that a bigTor a littleT?” Mom asks.
“I don’t know. What’s the difference? ATis aT.”
Mom laughs. “Maybe you should think about taking some culinary classes. Or leave the cooking to Jacques,” she says, referring to the chef I’d hired.
I sigh in frustration. Another failed recipe. I’m a smart, successful businesswoman. You would think I could figure out something simple like baking.
“What if she went on a date with Langston?” my dad says, switching back to our previous subject. He’s been fairly quiet throughout Mom’s tirade, and I get the impression that he’s been thinking about it throughout the exchange about the cookies.
“Langston?” I shake my head. “He thinks of me as the annoying little sister.”
“See? I told you, Ronald. She won’t listen about him.” Mom’s voice is full of frustration. “I’ve always wanted our two families joined in marriage, but Jenni won’t have it.”
“More like Langston won’t have it,” I say to defend myself. “He’s probably still hung up on Sarah.” After having his ex-wife, Amanda, leave him, and then his ex-girlfriend, Sarah, leave as well, I’d imagine Langston is pretty burnt out on women.
“Oh no. I know the scoop on that from talking to Laurie,” she says, referring to Langston’s mom, one of her very best friends. “He’s ready to move on.”
“How does she know that?” I can’t believe that Langston’s mom would have any idea of what’s going on in his love life. Not really. She thinks she knows, but that’s very different from actually knowing what’s going on in Langston’s heart. He’s not one to open up about that kind of stuff.
“Well, a mother knows these things about her child.”
Right… Just like Mom knows all my secrets…
“Well, if we can get Langston to agree to take you on a date, would you be willing to go?” Dad asks.
“What? Are you going to bribe him or something?” What could they possibly bribe him with? The guy already has more money than he could ever spend.
“If you’re not willing to date Langston or any of the men we’ve already tried setting you up with, I’m going to start asking my family if they know of any eligible bachelors in India for you.”
I shudder. That’s the last thing I want, all my aunts getting together, setting me up with some guy I don’t know. At least I’d know what I was getting with Langston. “Fine. If Langston agrees to take me on a date, I’ll go with him.”
My mom gets this look in her eyes, like I’ve just given her a gift on Christmas morning. “You would do that?”
“Sure. It’s just Langston.” I shrug. Nothing will ever come of it. I know that for a fact.
My mom squeals. “Just wait until I tell Laurie. Our dream is finally coming true. A Finley and a Keith together at last.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s just a date, and he hasn’t even agreed to it yet.”
“Oh, he will. I’ll make sure of that.”
“Mom. You can’t bully the guy into taking me out.”
“But I can win him over with sweets.” She eyes me. “But we’ll leave the cooking to Ruby.”
I grin. “Are you saying I’ll just chase him off with my cooking?”