Page 22 of Full Coverage (Boys of Fall)

He pushed his chair back and stood. “Mom, this isn’t up for discussion. It’s a party. In New York. I’m not putting a down payment down on a house in Quinn. I’m not turning in my resignation. I’m not screwing up my future or flushing my options or potential or anything else down the toilet. I’m taking a woman I like to a party.”

“A party in New York.”

“Yes.”

“With your publishing people.”

Nolan smiled. “Yes.”

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

He nodded. “I do, actually.”

“What is Miranda Doyle going to talk to a bunch of fancy New Yorkers about?” Teresa asked. “All that girl knows is cars, football and beer.”

Nolan took his mother’s upper arms, pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “I happen to know they all drive cars, have heard of football and have tried beer.”

Teresa did not look reassured. Nolan closed his computer and gathered his notes.

“Where are you going now?”

“To shower for my dinner date at Randi’s.”

He heard his mother’s very heavy sigh as he headed toward the stairs.

“Well, do me one favor at least,” she called after him.

He knew what was coming. “What’s that?”

“Double condom.”

Nolan paused on the bottom step. “I’ll take six or eight. Just in case,” he shot back.

Then he loped up the stairs, grinning, as his mother yelled, “That’s not funny!”

* * *

Randi addeda lime to her basket and started to turn away. Then grabbed another before continuing down the produce aisle. She had tequila and salt but she’d hate to run out of limes tonight.

She felt a little warmer just thinking about Nolan’s lips closing around the lime where it rested—

She turned right at the end of the aisle, and ran directly into Lacey Andrews.

“Oh, sorry!”

Lacey grinned at her. “What are you making him?”

For one second, Randi was surprised. Then she sighed. “Where did you hear?”

“Rhonda told Donna at the post office.”

“Are you stalking me?” Randi asked.

“Do you mean, did I stop by the grocery store for carrots I didn’t need because I heard you were making Nolan dinner? Yes.”

Randi accepted the inevitable. Everyone in Quinn knew she was making dinner for Nolan tonight. They probably knew about the party in New York. There was no sense in playing dumb.

“Steak,” she said in answer to Lacey’s first question.

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