Page 78 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

“Go ahead. I was just showing my mother out.” But while he tried to put a barrier between them, his mother pushed past him and held her hand out.

“Hello, I’m Barbara Stevens, Mike’s mother. And you are?”

Ellie cleared her throat and took his mother’s hand. “I’m Eleanor Willis.”

His mom’s eyes widened. “Edward Willis’s youngest?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

His mother shot him a murderous glance. “I didn’t realize you were seeing someone, Michael.”

“Oh, no, ma’am,” Ellie protested. “We’re friends. Mike was sick last night, and I was just taking care of him.”

“Sick? What kind of sick?”

“Food poisoning.”

Mike rolled his eyes to the heavens. Ellie shot him a desperate look and he took his mother by the shoulders. “Okay, Mom, it’s time to go. Dad is waiting.”

“Eleanor…”

Ellie appeared ready to bolt. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I don’t know if you knew this, but your mother and I were friends growing up. She was a lovely woman. You look just like her.”

Ellie’s eyes widened. “Thank you.”

“I won’t keep you from your business,” his mom said.

“Thank you. It was nice meeting you.”

“You as well.”

The bathroom door clicked shut behind Ellie and his mother turned on him.

“You have some explaining to do.”

Mike took her arm gently, leading her down the hallway away from the door. “I actually don’t. I can be friends or date whoever I want.”

“How old is she?”

“She’s twenty-four, Mom.”

“Oh.” His mom’s face flushed. “I thought she was younger than that. And what are you to each other? I don’t believe for a second you’re friends.”

“For once, can you not meddle in my life?”

“Fine, but just so you know, I would enjoy it if you brought Ellie to our Fourth of July barbecue.”

Mike didn’t mention he already was. “Why?”

“So, I can get to know her.”

“I think it’s a little early to expose her to you, Pop, and the rest of the clan,” Mike said. Opening the front door, he waved his hand. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Fine, fine, I can take a hint.” His mother stepped onto the porch and turned once more to add, “She’s very pretty, but you are using protection, aren’t you?”

Mike groaned. “Yes, I got the sex talk and I know the drill. Seriously, though.”