Page 82 of Best Friends for Never

“Yes, please. Give me all the details. Every last one.”

She sighs wistfully. “Well, as you can imagine, Cliff was—”

“Hang on, hang on.Cliff?He doesn’t allowanyoneto call him Cliff except for old Ms. Chan, but she doesn’t let anyone boss her around.”

“Yes, he lets me call him Cliff,” she mutters with a grin. “Anyway, Cliff was surprised I bid on him. See, the thing is, we’ve kind of been ... friendly toward one another lately.”

“Friendly? Is that what the kids are calling it nowadays?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “What did you and Noel do today at the Falls, Parker Bernice?”

I sink lower in my chair at the use of my middle name and the reminder ofexactlywhat went on today. “Tell me more about howfriendlyyou are with Cliff.”

“We’re not sleeping together if that’s what you’re after.”

“Yes, because I amdyingto know about my mother’s sex life,” I deadpan.

“We’re just ... friends,” she continues. “Now that I’ve been on my own for a few years, I’ve realized how much I’ve grown to dislike the quiet. Cliff’s been living alone his entire life, and he seemed like he could use some company. One night, I noticed he was up late, so Iwent over with a carafe of coffee. We got to talking, and one thing led to another, and well ...” She lifts a shoulder. “I guess we’re going steady.”

Going steady.

It’s such a dated term, but it paints a clear picture of what’s been going on. He’s her boyfriend.

It’s sweet. And completely unexpected.

Since my father left, I can’t recall a time when my mom ever expressed an interest in dating. She’s always seemed happy being single. In fact, Idoremember several times she sang anthems about how freeing it was to be single.

Maybe it was all a front. Maybe she wasn’t as happy as she’s always let on. Maybe she’s just as lonely as I’ve felt.

“Stop that, dear. Don’t get that look on your face.”

I peek up at her. “What look?”

“The one where you look all sad. I was happy with my years of freedom. I truly was. So don’t think for a second that I regret them. I had fun and was okay with being focused on raising my talented, smart, and beautiful daughter. But you’re all grown up now, and I’m all grown up, and I think maybe ...” Another shrug. “Maybe it’s time for me to cut loose a little, you know? Have fun. Maybe let my guard down and see what someone has to offer me.”

She has my father to thank for being so guarded about trusting men again. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t the same way myself—not just because of my father’s abandonment but also because of Noel’s.

Sure, I’ve let my guard down a little more over the years, but I still have reservations about letting people in—especially those who have hurt me.

I push those thoughts aside, wanting to focus on something happy, like my mother having a boyfriend.

“How long?”

“Hmm?” she asks over the rim of her mug.

“How long have you been dating Cliff.”

Red fills her cheeks. “Oh, not long,” she says dismissively.

I don’t buy it.

“Mother . . .”

She huffs. “Fine. About six months now.”

“Six months?!” I explode. “You’ve been dating Clifford Daws forsix monthsand didn’t tell me?!”

“Well, yes. It’s not anyone’s business who I date.”

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