Page 95 of Fierce-Matt

“Stop looking for roadblocks or worrying if you keep up with the Joneses or do it the way they do. You’re doing great in your career and your personal life.”

She grinned. “Am I?”

“We just talked about your work. You’ve got a great boyfriend too.”

“I do,” she said, poking him in the arm. “I even told my mother that today.”

It was like pulling teeth to get her to talk about this.

It was more of what he wanted to know than her job, but he didn’t want to put the pressure on her if she hadn’t told her mother.

He wouldn’t force her if she wasn’t ready.

Just because she said she was going to do it yesterday, didn’t mean it happened.

He hadn’t talked to his parents until today about her either. She hadn’t asked once.

“What did she say?” he asked.

“Look at you all cool and collected. It’s not even bothering you.”

He was doing a much better job than he thought, but sweat formed on the back of his neck when she said that. “Should I be bothered? I thought your mother liked me.”

“She does,” she said, poking him again. Like a nervous gesture. “She was happy. Reminded me about the crush I had on you years ago.”

“And we know it was mutual,” he said. “I told my parents this morning. I caught them in the office together.”

“What did they say? We know they like me.”

“And there is the confidence you need to show with everything in your life,” he said. “Right there. That smirk, the look in your eyes, the tone of your voice. All of it.”

“I think I’m getting there.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, tilting his head.

“You’re so full of yourself,” she said, throwing a fry at him.

“You like that about me too,” he said. He picked the fry up off the table and ate it. “And my parents were thrilled. They’d figured it out. Remember, we’ve got the whole Jolene Fierce thing going on. My mother didn’t admit that she’d been talking to Jolene, but I know it. I accused her of setting me up and my father said she gave in faster than he expected.”

“Your mother set you up with me? How?”

“Not exactly you. I believe she’s talked to Jolene and anything Jolene touches works out. I’m not sure how Jolene figured we’d be good together.”

Unless it was the sparks flying at the wedding? He didn’t care all that much at this point.

Anya shrugged. “I don’t know. What do I say to Jolene if she asks me? Do you think your mother will tell her?”

“I don’t know. I want to let Ben know. My luck, Jolene will be there. I have no intention of lying but I might play with her some.”

“Please don’t,” she said. “It’s my job and I’m relying on the income. I don’t want any more attention on me than there is.”

He hadn’t thought of that and didn’t want to burst her bubble and say it was over with.

It wasn’t over with in Jolene’s eyes until rings were on fingers and vows were exchanged.

“I’ll keep you posted how it goes,” he said. “I’ll try to see Ben this week. What days are you working?”

“Tomorrow,” she said. “The early shift. I’ll be done at four. In the morning I’ve got to help my mother. She’s got an early appointment and I’m going to sit with my father.”