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ni is still at my mouth, I just go ahead and take another, bigger sip. No point being something I’m not.

“I have no idea who my father is, but my mother ran off and left me when I’d just turned three. Uncle Bob raised me after that, but I didn’t care for his nonstop God talk. I moved into the old parson’s cottage when I turned sixteen, and I’ve been taking care of myself ever since.”

Chad’s lips press into a grin, and his mother leans back in her chair crossing her arms. “Is that so? And how does a sixteen year-old girl take care of herself?”

I don’t like how she asks that question. “Turning tricks, of course.”

Take that, Evelyn Tucker. I’ve been handling bitches like you all my life.

A loud laugh explodes from across the table, and I drink a little more gin. “She’s only joking, Mom.”

“About which part?” His mother glares at me, and I don’t even crack a smile.

“Tabby’s a small business woman. She’s an entrepreneur like you and dad.”

The woman’s eyes narrow. “What’s the business?”

I’m about to say prostitutes when Chad answers first. “Website design. She’s pretty damn good at it, too.”

“Language, Charles. Please.”

Oh, smell the roses. Thankfully our starters are here.

Kyle puts the soup in front of me and two small salads in front of Chad and his mother. “Shredded parmesan? Cracked pepper?”

“No.” His mother is curt, but Kyle is doing a great job in my opinion.

I put on my friendliest manner. “I’ll have some pepper.”

He takes care of us and then he’s gone again. Back to the inquisition.

“So you design websites.” His mother nods, taking another bite of salad. “Anything I’ve seen?”

“Have you ever visited Pornhub?”

Evelyn’s lips tighten, and our eyes clash. I’ve had it with her bullshit.

Chad only shakes his head. “She just launched a major travel site called Travel Time.”

I’m surprised he remembered the name. I break the ice-cold staring match I’m having with his mother and give him a warm smile. “You remembered.”

“Of course I did.”

That little exchange gets her attention. She puts her napkin beside her plate. “I don’t care for coarse humor. Perhaps I should return to your apartment, Charles.”

Chad’s expression is startled, and now I feel like an ass. I’m ruining the evening, and I don’t mean to. It’s just my mouth…

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Tucker,” I say quickly. “I didn’t mean to offend you. Please stay for your dinner. I can leave if you’d prefer.”

“Tabby, no.” Chad reaches out to catch my hand.

I love feeling his warm hand around mine. His mother’s eyes go to that connection, and she pauses. I see the change in her expression, and I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.

Kyle is back with a busboy and all our food, and she takes the napkin, returning it to her lap. We’re all served, the wine opening ritual is performed, and finally we’re alone again with our entrées and glasses of wine. I kind of hope we can eat in silence, but I’m pretty sure that won’t happen.

Chad takes a bite of his steak and sits back, giving me a wink. “This is delicious. Great call, Tabby.” He smiles, and that dimple I love appears.

Evelyn seems to get her second wind. “Nan asked about you the other day.”