No Love Allowed(25)

“Mom!”

“Didi!” Her mom grabbed her chest, gulping in air. “I didn’t expect you to be home.”

“Ditto.” She bent at the waist and picked up the things she’d dropped. She didn’t know what Caleb’s deal was, picking a fight with her. There he went throwing his money in her face again. When she straightened, she caught her mother in the middle of giving her a once-over.

“You cut your hair. And where’d you get that gorgeous dress?” Awe and suspicion intermingled in her question. “You didn’t buy it, did you?”

“No, Mom. I wouldn’t blow money on something this expensive. It’s a loaner.”

“Did you suddenly find a sugar daddy I don’t know about?”

She could tell from the mounting worry in her mother’s tone where this conversation was headed. Whatever was left of her anger disappeared. As much as she didn’t want to get into this right now, she knew she had to explain before her mom took things to a place Didi didn’t want to go.

“A friend at the club invited me to this garden party. I spilled something on my dress so he lent me this. I’m returning it after having it cleaned.” She hadn’t realized she had been speaking too fast until she noticed the crease on her mother’s forehead. “I’m fine,” she immediately added. “Taking my meds regularly.”

“I know,” her mom said, eyeing Didi carefully. “I checked. But suddenly cutting your hair . . .” She hugged herself. “It’s nice, don’t get me wrong, but . . . are you sleeping regularly?”

“Mom.” She turned the word into two long syllables.

“You have to understand where I’m coming from. This is all so sudden.”

“I know it looks crazy.” Didi waved her hands in the air. “But I’m not being manic. I promise. It’s just some summer fun hanging out with a friend. No strings attached.”

Her gaze hardened. “There are always strings.”

“Not with Caleb,” she defended. She might think of him as a Class A jerk right now, but he didn’t deserve to be misunderstood.

A long moment passed where they did nothing but stare into each other’s eyes. Didi stayed still, hoping against all hope her mother would see this wasn’t an episode. That she knew what she was doing.

“What are the chances you’ll do this behind my back anyway if I say no?” her mother finally asked. The seriousness in her tone didn’t quite manage to hide her defeat.

“Almost a hundred percent.”

“I can’t say I’m completely comfortable with this, Didi.” Her mother looked her in the eye in the way only mothers could. “But I also don’t see what stopping you will do. I know you deserve some fun in your life. God knows I can’t give you dresses like that or—”

Didi’s hug cut off the rest of what her mother was about to say. “I can’t ask for a better mom. Don’t think I don’t see you worrying over the bills at night when you think I’m asleep.”

“Hey . . .” Her mom pushed back so she could cradle Didi’s face in both hands. “Do I wish our lives could be easier? Sure. Who doesn’t? But don’t ever think I’m disappointed that you are my daughter.”

“Even if it’s keeping you from buying dresses like this one?” Didi joked through a new wave of tears brimming in her eyes.

Her mom kissed her forehead. “Not for all the dresses and shoes in the world.”





Twelve


CALEB DROVE AIMLESSLY until the sun turned the sky orange and pink, unwilling to face the emptiness of home while still seething. His frustration finally brought him to the massive man-made lake found at the center of Dodge Cove. Summer homes dotted its surrounding area. He parked his car near the shore and just sat there, staring at the calm water.

He blamed himself for the tears he had seen Didi valiantly keep unshed. All day he had marveled at her beauty and the grace with which she mingled with his people, but nothing compared to the fire in her eyes as she slammed out of his car. He deserved her anger.

He had been so happy with her performance, and then he’d had to go and f*ck it all up. At least she hadn’t thrown the cell phone itself at him.

He leaned forward until his forehead banged the steering wheel. If she refused to accompany him to the next event, he couldn’t blame her. His insides twisted at the thought of the consequences of going stag, but what could he do?

Then the passenger-side door opened, and the car dipped as someone got in. He whipped his head up and lifted his fists, ready to defend himself from the carjacker. A blink later he recognized Preston, dressed in nothing but running shorts and running shoes.

“Jesus, Pres,” he said, lowering one fist while raking the fingers of the other through his hair. “You scared the shit out of me. What the hell are you doing here?”

“On a run,” Preston deadpanned. “What are you doing here?”

Closing his eyes, Caleb said, “I screwed up.”

A drawn-out pause followed.

Then, just when the silence between them grew thick, Preston said, “You’ll have to specify what you mean.”

Laughter bubbled up in Caleb’s throat, begging to be let out. Just barely, he managed to keep the humor in, out of respect for the seriousness of his friend’s statement.