Page 12 of Tempt Me

I wanted a job during college, but my parents insisted on footing the bill as part of their investment in a future partner at the firm.

“Bella? Is that you?” My mom’s voice calls out in question from the kitchen.

“Yeah, it’s me.” I glance at the clock about the dining room table. I still have twenty minutes until they’re expecting me. As I walk into the kitchen, my stomach grumbles. Meatloaf. My mom’s favorite hobby is cooking, which if you ask my shorts, she’s too good at. They get tighter every year. “Smells good.”

“Thanks.” She glances at me over her shoulder. Her face is pink from the steam emanating from the pot on the stove. If I had to guess, she’s making homemade gravy and mashed potatoes to go with the meatloaf.

I drop my bag to the floor as she twists a knob to a lower setting. “Headed out?”

“Yes, I’m going to a friend’s house. You remember me talking about Daisy from college?” I don’t wait for her to respondas I continue, “She and three of her friends are going to an expensive restaurant, so I’m doing their hair and makeup.”

“That’s nice, honey.” She smiles as her eyes travel over me. “Are you getting enough to eat? You look like you’ve lost weight.”

“Mom….” I roll my eyes. “I’m fine. I’m eating enough.”

“Are you sure?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “You aren’t depressed, are you?”

“No, I’m not depressed.” I rotate my neck and shoulders, standing taller to relieve the tension in my upper back. As the youngest and only girl, my parents smother me. Okay, maybe smother is too strong of a word, but they fuss over me more than they do my brothers.

“Good.” She shuts off the burner and leans her hip against the counter. “You aren’t dating anyone right now?”

“No, I’m not dating anyone.”

“Hmm… That’s too bad.”

“Why is that too bad? I’m happy on my own.”

“Fine.” She waves her hand dismissively. “I know I’m a pest, but I like seeing all my children happy.”

“Ben and Sam aren’t dating anyone. So why are you so worried about me?”

“Because Sam and Ben don’t want girlfriends.”

“And I want a boyfriend?”

She arches her eyebrow. “How were the boys when you dropped off the food and laundry the other day?”

“Fine.” I grab my bag off the ground and sling it back onto my shoulder. Of course, she gets to change the subject with no repercussions. If I did the same thing, she’d double down on the previous line of questioning until I broke.

“Was Dominic there?’

My eyes narrow into slits. Clearly, we aren’t changing the subject. “Yes, Dominic was there. Yes, I talked to him for a few minutes, and no, I don’t know if he’s dating anyone, but he was talking about a girl.” My mom is as tenacious as a police detective if she wants something. “And no, I didn’t ask him out.”

“Whoa.” She raises her hands in defense and pretends to be put out by my rant. But she’s not. I know her too well for that. “I was only asking if he was there.” Her eyes twinkle. “You’re the one that’s acting all obsessed with him.”

“Shut up.” I roll my eyes and spin on my heel. I love my mom, but she’s way too good at reading me. Not that I’m going to admit she’s right about my crush on him. That’s not going to happen.

“Before you go.”

“Yes?” I ask with more exasperation than I should. “Sorry.” I smile sheepishly. She is a great mom, and the last thing I want to do is hurt her feelings.

“We’re cleaning out the spare room at the office. The one with the copier in it. What color do you want the walls?”

What color do I want the walls to be? Sweat coats my armpits. Painting makes everything real. What if I change my mind and decide to do something else? My heart skips a beat. “I don’t graduate for over a year and a half.”

“That’s fine, dear.” She beams and walks to the cabinet, retrieving a colander and setting it in the sink for the potatoes. “We want to be prepared. Our workload continues to increase, and we’re trying to hold out until you graduate to hire another employee. It’s getting hard to juggle everything.”

“Painting an office and waiting for me to graduate doesn’t help you today.”

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