How (Not) to Fall in Love(75)

I fished my keys out of my pocket and handed them over. Lucas glanced toward the guy in bike shorts who’d paused to pick up a copy of the daily paper I’d set on a table.

“I’ll see you later,” he whispered, kissing me quickly on the top of my head. I heard the alley door close as I turned to take the cyclist’s order.



Lucas returned at five o’clock, just as my shift ended. He’d texted me earlier, telling me that he and Mom decided I had to wait until the end of the day to see their handiwork, because it was a surprise. True to his word, he wore painter’s pants, a torn T-shirt, and a bandana tied around his forehead. There was grease on his arms and paint splatters on his nose. It was surprisingly sexy.

“Wow,” I said. “How much is this day going to cost me?”

“You have no idea,” he said. “Even with your girlfriend discount, you’ll probably have to take out a loan.” He slanted me a wicked grin. “Or maybe we can work something else out.”

Liz emerged from Fairyland, a stack of books in her hands. She stopped short when she saw Lucas. “Oh my. What have you been up to?”

He shrugged. “Not rescuing people. Not helping out people I care about. Not much of anything, really.”

Liz looked between us and laughed. “I’m not sure what’s going on here,” she said, “but I’d recommend a shower for one of you. Dinner for both of you.” She stage-whispered to me, “Somewhere romantic. With lots of candles.”

“What a genius idea. Darcy, you can drive.” Lucas tossed my keys over the counter and I caught them, barely.

“What about the shower?” I said.

“Go check out your new purple living room. Then pick me up at my place in an hour.” Lucas turned and headed for the front door. He stopped to look at me over his shoulder. “Don’t be late. I turn into a monster if I’m not fed regularly.”

“Maybe I prefer vampires.”

“You disappoint me,” he said, shaking his head in mock disgust. “I thought your tastes were more original.”

The door slammed behind him, but I knew he heard my laughter.

The living room wasn’t purple. The pale gray walls were soft and welcoming, and the molding and baseboards gleamed white. The colors made the pale pink stone around the fireplace glow, beckoning people to gather around it.

“This is amazing,” I breathed, looking around.

“We did good, didn’t we?” Mom agreed. I raised my eyebrows at her grammar. She giggled, brushing her hair out of her eyes. Her T-shirt and jeans were covered with paint splatters and her grin was huge, and proud.

How could I ever thank him? I knew he was kidding about payment, but I wished I could show him how much his time meant. I knew that I would’ve done the same for him, if I could. Maybe someday I could return all the favors I owed him.

I looked out the window to the barren trees outside. When something was given out of love, was it really a favor? Or was it simply a gift, given without expectation of anything in return? I knew the answer.

“He helped me paint for several hours.” Mom smiled at me. “He’s quite entertaining. And very sweet. I’d say you’re a lucky girl, but I think he’s lucky, too, to have found you.”

I blushed. “I don’t know about that.”

“I do,” Mom said.

“What are you doing for dinner?” I suddenly felt guilty and anxious about leaving Mom alone tonight. “You could join us.”

Mom shook her head. “No way. You two deserve a night out without your pathetic mom tagging along. Besides, I have plans.”

That was a surprise. “Plans? With who?”

“Some new friends from my meetings. We’re having Thai food, then going bowling.”

My mouth dropped open. “Bowling? You? Do you even know how?”

“I think there’s a stick involved, right? And beanbags?”

Laughing, I tossed a rag at her. “You’re doomed.”

We washed the paintbrushes in the utility sink in the basement and left them to dry.

“I brought clothes and toiletries so I could shower here,” Mom said. “Since the sale goes until seven tonight.”

That was a good sign, Mom planning ahead. But I was still anxious. “You sure you’ll be okay tonight?” I asked. “Call me after bowling when you’re heading home. I’ll meet you there, so we can face the vulture pickings together.”

Mom pulled me into a hug. “Don’t worry. I feel like a new person today. This was what I needed, to get busy. You just enjoy your night with Lucas.” She released me from her hug. “Darcy, we haven’t talked about this for a long time, but make sure you’re using protection, okay? If you are having sex, I want you to be safe.”

“Mom!”

She frowned at me. “It’s my job to look out for you. I don’t mean to embarrass you, but—”

“Mom, stop. We’re not. Trust me, okay?”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “You’re not? Really?”

God. She was worse than Sal.

“This conversation is over. I have to pick up Lucas in half an hour.” I sighed and tugged at my hair. “You’re right about him, Mom. He’s very sweet. We’re not rushing things.”