Until December (Until Her/Him #8)(31)

“We knew he asked for your favorite flower, but we didn’t know if he’d actually buy them for you, since they aren’t exactly easy to come by,” July pipes up, looking happy.

“Where did he take you for dinner?” Mom asks, and I pull my eyes off my sister’s smiling face to look at her.

“Flame,” I reply, and Mom’s eyes widen with awe. “He knows the owner. We had dinner on the rooftop, which has been enclosed with glass, and were the only people there after the owner’s parents left.”

“Was the food good?” May asks, and I look around April at her.

“It was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.”

“Peonies and dinner at Flame,” Mom says, and I find her shaking her head. “He’s not messing around.”

“Can we please cut all this crap and get to the good stuff? What happened when he brought you home?” April asks, raising one brow.

My chest gets tight and my face warms. It’s one thing talking with my sisters about sex. It’s completely different with our mom present.

“April,” Mom scolds.

“What?”

“You know what. We talked about this.” Mom narrows her eyes in disapproval, and April shifts uncomfortably next to me.

“I see the last of you has arrived,” a waitress says, appearing suddenly at the side of our booth, and I couldn’t be more thankful for her interruption. “What can I get you ladies to eat?”

We give her our orders, food enough to sustain six grown men, and she looks impressed by the time she walks away. Once she’s gone, I focus all my attention on the cup of coffee in front of me, waiting for April to continue with her interrogation, unsure how I will handle it if she does.

“Do you like him?” At my mom’s quiet question, I lift my eyes to hers and nod. “Good,” she whispers, and I bite the inside of my cheek.

“At least tell us the good night kiss was mind-blowing.” April, never one to give up, prompts and I hear my mom huff in frustration. Still, I turn my head to look at my sister.

“The kiss good night was everything I hoped it would be.” I watch her expression fill with relief. Seeing that look, I realize she hasn’t stopped worrying about her role in the way things played out between me and Gareth and has still been feeling guilty about it. “We’re good.” I reach under the table to squeeze her hand, and her fingers lock around mine tightly before they let go.

“So, when are you seeing him again?” June asks as I pick up my coffee.

I hold my cup inches from my lips and shrug. “I’m not sure. We didn’t make plans.”

“Oh.” She looks forlorn by my answer, and I wonder if I should be worried that we didn’t agree on a time to see each other again.

Did he just tell me what I wanted to hear so he didn’t have to deal with things being awkward? I mean, I did sleep with him on our first date; maybe he thinks I’m easy now and wants nothing to do with me. My stomach turns at the thought.

“He’ll call,” April says, and I glance at her. “He’ll call. Just give him time.”

“Sure,” I agree, not feeling sure at all. Actually, now I’m wondering what the heck I was thinking, sleeping with him last night. I should’ve had better control. I should have.... “Oh no.” My heart pounds, remembering him telling me that the condom broke the last time we had sex. How did I forget about that until now?

“What?” Mom asks worriedly, and I shake my head.

“Nothing. I… I thought I saw that crazy-haired guy walk by, from the alien show July watches.”

“What? Where?” July looks behind her out the window to the sidewalk.

“It wasn’t him. It just looked like him,” I say, because I know she will get up and go search him out if she thinks he’s out there.

“Bummer.” She turns back toward the table. “I’m trying to convince Wes to take me to Alien Con in Arizona next year, but so far it’s a no-go.” Her nose scrunches up in annoyance. “Do you guys want to go with me? We could make it a girls’ trip.”

“I’m not going to an alien convention,” April refuses immediately.

“I’ll go,” June says, and we all look at her doubtfully, knowing there is no way her husband would let her go to another state without him. “I mean, I’ll come and bring my husband and baby.”

“Maybe if Evan goes, Wes will agree to come with me,” July plots, sounding hopeful.

“If you really want to go, I think you should buy your tickets and tell Wes you’re going with or without him,” Mom says with an evil smile before she continues. “I bet he’ll change his mind about going then.”

“That’s actually genius.” July nudges Mom’s shoulder with her own. “You really are the master Alpha tamer.”

Mom laughs at the newly bestowed title and looks around the table at each of us. “I’ve had a whole lot of years dealing with you girls’ father, so take it from me when I say sometimes you just have to play dirty to get what you want.”

“I’m sure Dad loves it when you play dirty,” April says, and I giggle in spite of the unease building in my chest.

“You’re not wrong.” Mom grins.

“Gross,” May mumbles.