Page 70 of Mine

“Cal, I don’t ring the buzzer at home,” I bit back nervous laughter as the door swung open to reveal my mom.

Her eyes creased with confusion when she saw Cal, before she moved her gaze to me. She stared back at him and widened her eyes. “Gretchen?” she said with uncertainty.

He stepped forward, moving his hair out of his eyes. “Hi, Mrs. Red. I think it’s time we met. I’m Cal.”

Their eyes met, and I watched as my mom went through a million different emotions. She grimaced, then glanced back at me, my cheeks flushed with happiness, my eyes that shone with emotion and adoration.

“I thought you stayed at Rosie’s last night, Gretchen?” She was looking back at Cal, who didn’t miss a beat.

“She did, I gave her a ride home this morning, as I didn’t want her walking home alone,” he shot her a winning smile as her face relaxed.

“I see. So, are you going to come in,Cal?”

I nearly fell over when she said this, whilst he nodded and held his hand out for me to go first.

I walked in, staring at my mom as she closed the door.

“So, Cal. It’s good to meet you, but I have to say, I thought you and Gretchen had cooled it off somewhat?” She sounded almost hopeful until he laughed.

“No. I gave Gretchen some space to concentrate on her studies. I know how much she wants to be a therapist.”

He sat down in the chair beside him. I stared at him: this smooth talker who seemed to have the answers to everything. He glanced back over at my mother, who watched him skeptically.

She cleared her throat and fixed him with her fierce gaze. “So graduation is soon. What are your plans, Cal?”

He frowned as he appeared to be deep in thought. “Well, to be honest, I’m not sure which path is best to take. I could follow my father down the acting route, or I could stick with sports therapy, which I am better at, to be honest.”

He laughed, and I couldn’t hide my surprise as I took this information in.

He’s interested in sports therapy?

His dad’s an actor?!

His eyes met mine, and he tilted his head to the side, acknowledging my confusion.

“I assume you won’t be keeping my daughter out overnight anymore without letting us know first, right?” My mom’s voice had softened somewhat, but she still made it clear she meant business.

Cal held his hands up, his eyes wide. “Ma’am, I can only apologize about that. It won’t happen again.”

We were all quiet for a moment until he rose from his chair, whilst smiling at my mom.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, but I have to head home. I have some things to take care of.” He paused for a moment. “Oh, Gretchen, I didn’t know if you were free this evening, but would you like to go out to dinner with me?”

My mom folded her arms, looking at me with wide eyes.

I couldn’t have loved him any more than I did right then.

“I would love to, and Mom, I will be back home straight after. Promise.”

Mom pursed her lips and nodded. “Does Cal know you’re going to Hayville?”

She sounded so proud, beaming at me as my eyes met Cal’s.

The color drained from his face as he recognized the name and the location. He recovered rapidly as he nodded. “It’s fantastic news, I’m so proud of her. That’s what tonight is about: celebrating.”

His voice hadn’t changed at all.

Wow, an expert liar.