Page 28 of Forever Mine

Chapter 10

I took my eyes off the road to glance at Angel, who was strapped in the back seat.

“Who are you gonna eat with?” Angel asked, sliding a finger across the screen of her tablet. The pink Fire HD Kids Edition device was another plaything her father had gotten her without my permission. I allowed her to keep it only because I'd set restrictions on her browsing.

An impatient motorist honked behind me although the light changed only a second ago. I drove across the intersection and my mind came back to our conversation when Angel prompted me, stretching her words. “I’m waaaiiiiting.”

“A business associate. He's taking me to dinner.”

“Is it Scott?”

I wanted to ask how she guessed, but that would only lead to further questions which I couldn't handle. My little angel was good at ferreting out information. Something that must have come with Nolan’s genes.

Reluctantly, I nodded. “Yes. We have things to discuss.”

“You could have invited him to eat with us.”

“True, hon, but we'll be talking business and that would be boring for you.”

She nodded. “Yup, that's true.”

I pulled into our community and when we got to our townhouse, my mother's Swift was already parked outside our door. She loved babysitting Angel and would most likely spend the night. Ours was a convenient arrangement, and it gave her time with her favorite granddaughter, as she never tired of saying. Angel would then remind Mom that she was the only one, and they’d laugh themselves silly.

Mom had let herself in and was busy in the kitchen. Our living space was cozy, with mahogany furniture, cushy brown sofas that Angel adored, and floor-length beige drapery.

Angel ran straight to the kitchen and hugged Mom around the waist. “Hi, Grandma.”

“Hello, sugar plum.” Over her head, Mom said, “I heated up the baked chicken I found in the fridge.”

Angel looked up at her, still clinging to her waist. “Macaroni and cheese is better.”

Mom smoothed Angel’s hair and winked before gently chucking her under the chin. “Your mommy won’t agree, but I might have something special for you later.”

“Yay! What did you bring me? Is it cake or pudding?”

Mom met my eyes and gave me a shamefaced grin. “Grater cake.”

I shook my head. The sweet concoction made of clear vanilla, coconut, food coloring, and granulated sugar would have Angel jumping around all evening. “Don’t give her more than one,” I warned.

Angel rolled her eyes. “Mommy, you’re a spoilsport. Grandma says it’s good to have some fun.”

“I agree, but I can’t have the two of you racking up a big dental bill from all that sugar on your teeth.”

“Grandma will make me brush them when I’m finished.” Angel’s face was sober and her gaze earnest.

She wasn’t about to let me win this conversation, so I went past them and emptied her lunch bag.

“I’ll take care of that,” Mom said. “You go get ready.”

I thanked her with a grateful smile and tapped Angels chin. “Go and take off your uniform. Then come talk to me while I'm getting ready.”

“Okay. I’m coming,” she said, running toward her room.

In my bedroom, I opened the windows to let in some air. The room was stuffy from being closed up during the hottest part of the day. From the closet, I removed a slinky, white off-the-shoulder dress that I planned to throw a navy shawl over in case it got cooler in the evening. I picked out a pair of sandals and a purse and after a glance at the clock on my night table, I hit the shower.

While I hummed a love song, Angel walked into the bathroom. “Mommy, I need help with my homework.”

“What project d’you have?”

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