Page 11

I stopped in the hallway, and it took a moment for the woman working the closet to find my long velvet coat.

Nerves skittered up my spine. I would have left without it, but it was cold as fuck.

“Going somewhere, Clemmy mine?” Mom’s voice reached me, and I spun to face her with a brittle smile.

She was still so beautiful, my mother. Perfect in every way. But I hated lying to her, and I knew I would have to.

“Um, yeah. Just getting my coat,” I said tightly.

She shook her head and sighed.

Dammit.

I was busted, and I knew it.

“Clementine, relax. Now, are you leaving with that handsome man I saw you chatting to?” she asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Oh my God, Mom. Please, do not tell Pop. He will have a million questions for me and Connor, and we are nowhere near ready for that,” I whisper-screamed and pulled her away from any nearby ears.

Mom giggled and hugged me spontaneously. She was always doing things like that. I was one of the lucky ones and I knew it.

My parents were both so warm and loving.

But Pop was also protective and a little bit scary. Dating had always been something of a nightmare for me, and I learned to keep my infrequent dates on the down-low so as not to set off a new inquisition within our household.

“Look, you know I don’t lie to your father. But I will omit what I know unless he asks directly. How is that?”

“Okay, fine. Please, though, try to keep Pop from asking. This could turn out to be absolutely nothing,” I said and hoped I was wrong.

“Oh, honey. You will find the right one someday. Even if it’s not him. But don’t forget, people in our family fall hard and fast.”

“Mom!”

“I’m not saying you’re going to fall in love with him, I am just saying don’t be surprised,” she replied and grinned, her familiar green eyes twinkling.

“Okay, fine. Just shhh. Don’t jinx it.”

“My lips are sealed, but Clemmy mine, I am so happy for you,” she murmured, using my old childhood nickname. “It’s about time you get back out there,” she encouraged

“Thanks, Mom. I just don’t want to make this a big deal. We don’t even know each other,” I hissed.

“Honey, he’s been staring at you all night. I think he might be more into you than you know,” she said, pulling on the pins that were holding pieces of my hair up.

“What are you doing?”

“You know your father always likes my hair down. There, you look amazing,” she said, smiling mischievously as she gave my hair a shake before dropping a kiss on my cheek.

“Go get him, daughter,” she said as I donned my coat and walked out the door.

“Oh! Don’t forget protection!” she shouted after me.

Oh my fuck.

I really hoped Connor didn’t hear that.