Page 96 of Revealing Mark

When they began to fill it in, Mark turned away. For the firsttime I saw his red-rimmed eyes. To a stranger he seemed indifferent, but I could tell he wasn’t.

“You okay?” I whispered.

He nodded tersely. “Let’s go.”

I nodded. He began to lead the way back to the car, when someone called out. His hand tightened around me but he didn’t slow down.

“Son.”

Mark halted but didn’t turn. It was weird to hear him being called that. A tall man who was starting to gray stopped beside Mark. Now that I looked closer, I could see some faint similarities, like the shape of the face and the same defined jawline.

“We need to talk,” he said, ignoring me completely.

“I’m sure we can do that another time.” Mark’s jaw twitched.

“This will only take a few moments,” he argued. “I’m sure your mom can keep your friend company while we talk.”

A woman halted to join us. “Mark,” she greeted stiffly. I assumed this was his mom.

She looked me up and down like I had crawled out of the gutter. I instantly disliked her.

Mark gave me a questioning look and I forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.” Although I wasn’t so sure about that.

He released my hand. “I won’t be long.” He didn’t even look in the direction of his mother. He walked with his father, and I was left with the woman who wore the most expensive jewelry I had ever seen.

I smiled when our eyes met. I couldn’t bring myself to be rude even though I’m sure it came second nature to her.

“So, you’re his new friend?” she asked, judging me with the long look that took in my clothes and minimal bling.

“Yes,” I replied, trying not to be offended by the dirty look she was giving me.

“You’re not his usual type.”

I tried to hide my hurt at that comment. I had never feltgood enough and she was opening up an insecurity I had managed to ignore.

“And what’s his usual type?” I found myself asking, feeling sensitive to the judgment in her eyes.

She was stick-thin, almost to the point of looking ill. Her expensive clothes fit her perfectly and I felt underdressed in my simple outfit. She made me feel like a girl trying to play dress-up.

“Beautiful and sophisticated.”

It felt like a slap in the face but I refused to let her rile me up. I shrugged. “Maybe he wants something new.”

She laughed. “Not likely. He’ll get bored.”

I swallowed, her eyes watchful of any weakness.

“And then he’ll move on.”

“We’ll see,” I mumbled, looking away from her to look for Mark, who was still talking quite heatedly with his father. I wished he were finished so we could leave. I didn’t want to have to deal with this woman any longer.

“Mothers know their sons,” she added.

“Really?” I snapped, unable to politely allow her to insult me without fighting back. “I’ve known your son since high school and he has never mentioned you, not once.”

She frowned.

“If you were really that close, I would have heard him talk about you, so I probably know him better than you do.” I held her glare triumphantly.