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Chapter thirty-eight

Samara

Sunday, August 9, 2026

I t pains me to say this, but I’ve been looking forward to this class all week. Last Sunday was pretty fun, and the more I get to know everyone, the more I’m finding that I’m genuinely enjoying myself.

Plus, last week, we took turns swapping partners all night, so it wasn’t as intimate as our first class. I even got to dance with Angelo, who I’ve come to realize is the perfect balance to Gloria’s big personality. He’s quiet and far more reserved than his wife, but when he does speak, he’s hilarious.

Even Luca isn’t all bad in small doses.

Before I can get out of the car, my cell rings from my purse. Normally, I’d ignore it, but the ringtone is the telltale sign that, unfortunately, it’s my mom, whose calls I’ve been dodging all week.

I grab my phone out, swipe the answer button, and bring it to my ear.

“Finally,” she huffs out. “I’ve been calling you all week, Mara!” she shouts in my ear.

“I’ve been busy, Mom,” I tell her, knowing that won’t cut it. It never does. Already, I feel twice as exhausted as I had before answering her call.

“Yeah, well, I gave birth to you, and I was very busy then, too, but I still did it, so the least you can do is answer my calls.”

“You have me now, so what did you want to talk about?” I love my mom, but she isn’t the easiest person to deal with when she’s not getting what she wants. Though, I guess I can thank her for giving me all the necessary attributes to be a successful lawyer.

“Our family vacation. You need to go. I’m not getting any younger, and we’ve given you more than enough time to get your schedule together so you can go. There isn’t any real reason you can’t, so I don’t wanna hear it,” she says, making her demands loud and clear.

“I told you, I have to see what my work schedule is like,” I try again.

“You said that weeks ago, Samara.” She huffs.

“You guys go on family vacations without me all the time. Why is this one so important?” I finally ask the question that’s been nagging at me since they first brought the idea up.

“Because this time, we’re going back to my home, and one of my closest friends has a son I’d like you to meet.”

Ah, and there it is. She wants to set me up.

I’m not sure why the next words leave my mouth, but they come flying out at a warped speed. “I’m actually seeing someone,” I tell her in a rush.

The line goes silent for several moments, so long, in fact, I almost check to make sure the call hasn’t dropped. “You’re seeing someone,” she breathes out over the line.

“Yeah, things are new, and I didn’t want to say anything until we got more serious.” That’s good, Samara, dig the hole a little deeper, why don’t you?

“Fine, then it’s settled. You’ll bring him with you,” she says, her tone suddenly cheerful, and it sends unease ricocheting through me. “I’ll tell your sister. She’ll be happy to know.”

“Okay, I’ve gotta go, Mom. We’ll talk later,” I tell her, desperate to get off the line.

“Goodnight, Mara,” she says, her voice now bright and cheerful as she hangs up without any extra fuss. She got what she wanted, and regrettably, that means I need to figure out what the hell I’m going to do about it.

I silence my phone, not wanting any other reasons to lose my mind tonight, before heading into the studio feeling like I’ve been hit with a ton of bricks.