This conversation is what’s crazy. I love her, but Jesus. She can’t possibly believe this is real. “He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t even know me!” I tell her.
We know the Teagan and Derek of a million years ago. I am nothing like the girl I used to be. He clearly isn’t who I knew either. He fell in love with someone else, married her, raised a kid, and all those life experiences changed him at his core.
“You’re an idiot.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“There have never been two people who have cared about and known each other more than you and Derek.”
“A long-ass time ago, yes. Now? No.”
“Then get to know him.”
I lift my head to the ceiling. “It was a kiss. It wasn’t anything more than that.”
If she buys that I’ll be impressed. It was so much more than a kiss.
“Well.” Nina gets up and smiles. “It shouldn’t be a big deal to start looking for a new match.”
“A what?”
“A new date, since it wasn’t anything more than that. There’s no reason you can’t get your ass back in the saddle.”
She can’t be serious. I’m not going on another blind date. The last setup did not go well and I have no desire to try again. “Not happening.”
“Because? Hmm? Could it be a man you happen to have given your heart to who has returned to claim it?”
She’s ridiculous. “It’s not because of the kiss with Derek if that’s what you’re thinking!” I yell at her and point. “That kiss meant nothing!”
A loud thump hits the door from the apartment and both of our heads turn. Shit. I pray to God Chastity didn’t hear me. Nina’s eyes are wide as she looks at me. “Do you think she—?”
“I don’t know.”
A heartbeat passes between us and the door handle rattles.
My voice is a whisper. “Don’t say anything.”
“I’ve got this.”
I have zero faith. Nina’s the world’s worst liar. Chastity will see through her like glass.
“Anyway,” I say loudly, trying to refocus Nina. My daughter is smart—I need to keep talking about the same issue but leave out the kiss and I’ll just…improvise if she asks. “I think I’m going to stay single.”
Nina nods. “I see.”
“I’m serious. I can read the signs that right now isn’t the right time.”
Chastity enters the room. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Hi, honey,” Nina says a little too brightly. “Did you sleep well?”
“Sure. I would’ve liked to sleep in later but you two were yelling and I was worried Grandma was here and Mom finally snapped.”
“Funny,” I huff.
“She knew you had a date last night. Which I’m waiting for details on…”
I once really liked my kid. Now, not so much. “Why would you think telling Grandma any information was a good idea?”
I focus on the first until I can feel her out more on what she heard.
“She’s very persuasive when she wants information.”
“In other words, she bought you.”
“She promised I could have Mr. Stinkers—inside.”
Unreal. I asked my mother two months ago and she was against it.
“You’re kidding me, right?”
Chastity smiles. “Nope.”
I’m too hungover to care right now. “I give up.”
“So, what were you guys yelling about?”
I’m not sure if she’s baiting me. “My failure of a date last night.”
“Failure?”
“Yes. Failure.”
“Was he ugly?”
Did you hear me say something about a kiss and you’re trapping me? Gah. This kid is too damn good at mind games sometimes.
“I wouldn’t know. He didn’t show up.”
“Aunt Nina?”
Oh, sure, go for the weak one.
Nina clasps her hands, giving away that she’s nervous. “Yes, honey?”
“Next time, I get to pick the guy…not you.”
Nina laughs. “You’ll have to convince your mother of that. I doubt she’ll be dating anytime soon.”
“Not if you two are picking the guys.”
Chastity shrugs. “I’ll find you someone, Mom. Just wait.”
I close my eyes and shake my head. “Let’s get to work…and not on my love life.”
Lord knows I’ve done enough damage to my own life in the last twenty-four hours.
Chapter Twenty-One
Teagan
Present
“Hello?” I answer the number I don’t recognize. I’m praying my daughter didn’t list my phone number on that dating site.
“Good morning.”
“Who is this?”
“I’m crushed that you didn’t recognize my voice,” a deep male voice says with a chuckle.
“Derek?”
“Don’t act so surprised, I do have your number, and since we’re friends, I figured it was time I called.”
I haven’t heard from him in the last week. I’ve done my best to not talk about him, think about him, or look for him at every turn. I hoped that after the last thirteen years of doing just that, I would be a pro. However, I’ve yet to master this skill. He keeps starring in my dreams, and I find myself daydreaming about his lips.
“Sorry, you took me by surprise. Not to be rude, but why are you calling me?”
“Chastity asked me to.”
Okay, but why didn’t she call me? That initial fear that something has happened to her hits me. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. I should’ve led with that. She’s at the house after working with my dad at the clinic. They got a little sidetracked with the animals and then my mother refused to let her leave without eating.”
“Okay…” I say, confused. “What is she doing now?”
“She’s doing her homework. Are you okay with me dropping her off or do you want to come get her?”
“I’m sorry, did you say she’s doing her homework—at your house?”
Since when does she hang out where Everly is?
“Yeah, it’s a long story.”
I’m sure it is. “I can come get her. I have to run out and I can grab her on my way back.”
Tonight, Chastity and I will have some mother-daughter time. I baked a cake that I plan to eat for dinner. Cake has eggs and eggs are healthy.
“Sounds good. What time are you thinking?”
Yeah, sounds great…I won’t be able to avoid him face-to-face.
“An hour? Is that okay?”
I’m not sure why I’m asking him if that’s okay, she’s my daughter.
“I’m guessing that’s fine, she and Everly are talking now.”
“Umm…what?” I ask with a hint of panic and a lot of confusion in my voice.
As of last night, Everly was being referred to as Satan’s mistress. I don’t think the two of them suddenly became best friends.