Page 78 of Swept Away

“And you don’t know what kind of business it is.”

“I have no idea,” I say, dead serious, because it’s true.

“All I know is that it’s not my business.”

“What are their names?”

Her question catches me off guard, and I stumble a little, not knowing what to say.

Eventually, I opt for the truth.

“Mason and Carter.”

“Interesting.”

“What’s so interesting?”

“You’ve never told me the names of other male friends.”

“Because I’ve never had any.”

“Exactly.”

I freeze.

“Well, I hope they’re good people. If they’re not, they’ll deal with me.”

I laugh reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I have nothing to do with them.”

The lie floats out of my mouth so perfectly that it almost rings true.

I have nothing to do with them today.

And I might not have anything to do with them again.

It’s not like they’ve given me a lot of information about their lives, and I surely don’t need to know that much.

Not at this point.

It’s not like we’re in love or something. Despite all the sweet words they have said to me.

I don’t even know if they’re coming back, or when they’re coming back exactly.

“All right. Talk to Charlize about the cat. And, um… Happy Birthday! I’m not so sure I can call you on Saturday, so I’d rather say this now.”

“Oh. Thank you. Don’t worry. You know me. I’m not crazy about celebrating my birthday.”

“Don’t I know that?” she says, laughing. “Oh, by the way. This is my new man’s phone number. You can use it for anything urgent. I’ll get a new phone when we… Honestly, I don’t knowwhen. I’m not in a rush. You have no idea how much calmer I am now without having to answer all those stupid calls.”

Biting my lip, I smile.

People very well know not to call her. I’m not calling her. She’s allergic to the ringing of her phone.

Her words, not mine.

“Great. We’ll talk then,” she says, and a moment later, we end the call.