Page 48 of Forget Me

14

MIMI

I loved havingBen at Shabbat dinner. Not only did it remind me of so many Friday nights growing up, but I could rely on him for a deflection or two when Mom got to be too much.

His fiancé, Cooper, on the other hand? I kind of wished he had to go to Singapore again. Then he wouldn’t be sitting across my parents’ dining room table from me, his blond hair, blue eyes, and broad shoulders reminding me too forcefully of his cousin.

The one I’d run away from last night.

I’d thought I understood Mateo. I thought he was one of those guys whose pretty was an inch deep. That underneath the gorgeous exterior was nothing but bland emptiness. Or, like Byron, heartless cruelty.

But he’d shaken me to my core.

He’d lulled me into saying more than I intended. I told him he made me feel safe.

He countered by calling me beautiful. Byron had called me that, too, but as it turned out, he’d used his soft words to take, take, take from me until he’d used me up.

What did Mateo want? His stare on the dance floor had been hungry. And confusing.

“Mimi, may I pour you some wine?” Cooper’s voice startled me. I blinked. Mom would kill me if she knew I wasn’t entertaining our guest while she, Dad, and Ben finished up the dinner preparations in the kitchen.

Though the thought of entertaining my boss’s boss’s boss was pretty intimidating.

“Half a glass, please.” What would Cooper think of the sweet Kosher wine and our family’s Friday-night traditions? Although he and Ben had been together for over six months, tonight was the first time Ben had subjected Cooper to a Levy-Walters Shabbat dinner. Usually on Friday nights, Cooper had just returned from a trip and was tired, they were going out on a date, or Ben came by himself.

This was a big night for my brother and his fiancé.

Cooper filled my glass halfway. It was only then I noticed he was drinking sparkling water. Now that I thought about it, the champagne he’d drunk at their engagement party had looked clearer than what was in Ben’s glass. And I hadn’t seen him drink anything at all at Bree and Josh’s wedding.

Was it possible to get through one of my family’s dinners without alcohol?

“Jackson Jones told me something the other day,” he said.

“He did?” Had his best friend and business partner told him about the assistant director position? Or had he told Cooper I’d screwed up my budget presentation earlier that month? Had Monique told him I was a drunk? I gulped the wine, wishing it were something stronger.

“He said you’re dating my cousin Mateo.”

Oh. Shit. Why had I deluded myself that our lie would stay inside the gala committee? And if Cooper knew, that meant Ben knew. And it would only be a matter of time before—

Mom gasped behind me. “Mimi, you’re dating someone? Why didn’t you mention it when we talked this week?”

Oh, only because it was totally fake, and I hoped she’d never find out. But if I admitted the lie, would Cooper set Jackson straight? Then Jackson would tell Natalie, who might let it slip in front of Larissa. If Larissa found out, I’d be off the gala committee—and out of the running for the full-time job—in an instant.

I grimaced. “It’s…it’s new.”

“Tell me all about it.” Mom plunked down the challah platter and sank into a chair.

“Ah.” I glanced at Cooper, who had the grace to look guilty. I considered telling her the truth, that it was all a ruse. I probably should have gone with that. But her rounded brown eyes were so hopeful, and her smile had an anticipatory happiness I didn’t have the heart to crush. I’d have to do it eventually. But tonight, I’d let her live in the excitement that had her leaning forward on her elbows.

“Cooper’s cousin Mateo and I are seeing each other. Casually. Not a big deal.”

“You mean, like, casual sex? Friends with benefits? Fuckbudd—”

“No! God, no, Mom.” I squeezed my eyes shut so I wouldn’t have to look at her or Cooper. My boss’s boss’s boss.

“Then…” I knew that tone. There was no escaping the inquisition now.

“We went golfing the other day with Larissa and her boyfriend. Dancing the other night. And we’re going to the gala together next month. No big deal.”

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