Page 49 of Forget Me

Though for a moment on the dance floor, it had felt like a very big deal. Until I remembered we were not a thing and freaked out. I was glad he’d stepped on my foot. The pain reminded me we were oil and water. A pair of magnets with the same polarization. Ones and zeroes.

“Golfing, dancing, and a gala? These are not things you usually do, Mimi. Are you sure it’s not a big deal?”

“Positive. I promise it won’t get in the way of my career. Not like—” I clicked my teeth shut. I didnotwant to hash through my last failed relationship. Definitely not in front of Cooper.

“Ah, Mimi. Seeing your brother so happy with Cooper has given me a new perspective.”

Behind me, Ben snorted. He circled the table and set down two bowls of soup. “More like Bree’s wedding has given you ideas. Visions of tulle and white roses and dancing the horah. Admit it.”

Mom pursed her lips. “I want both my children to be happy. I ran into Breina’s mother at services last week. She said they’re trying for a baby.”

“Bree and I just went out for drinks this week!” I said. “No way are they trying to get pregnant.”

“She’s over thirty. They’ll need to start soon.”

“Mom!”

“What? I thought both you girls wanted children.”

“Someday. Not now before I settle into my career.”

She eyed my midsection like it had an expiration date stamped on it. “You know I want the best for you. Now tell me about Mateo.”

Ben laughed. “Cats and dogs, those two.”

Cooper snatched my brother’s hand and stopped him with a look full of silent meaning. “No, sweetheart. They’re dating.”

“What?” He perched on Cooper’s knee. “You and Mateo?”

Cooper studied my face. Why hadn’t he talked to Mateo about this? He could have set his cousin straight. And then I wouldn’t be talking about my fake relationship with my mother, who’d never let it go. If Cooper weren’t my boss’s boss’s boss, I’d jump over the table and strangle him. I never lied to my brother.

But now I had to keep going. “Yes.”

“It’snewandcasual.”Mom said. “Whatever that means.”

“Oh.” Ben’s lips turned down. He didn’t have to say a word. I knew he was thinking about the bowl of condoms next to my bed and the casual hookups that cycled through my apartment every few weeks. He actually liked Mateo, and thatOhmeant he thought Mateo was one of the guys I’d bring home when I was horny and boot out before sunrise.

But I couldn’t do that with Mateo. He was part of my brother’s life. His family.

Shit, why hadn’t I thought of this before? Why had I let it happen?

Goddamn Larissa and her party planning and her lady boner for Mateo and his Latin American gala theme.

Ben and Mom didn’t see it, but Cooper mouthed,Sorry,at me. Out loud, he said, “Speaking of the gala, Jackson says you’re doing a fantastic job on the planning committee.”

The tightness in my belly loosened a notch. “That’s nice of him to say. His sister Natalie is doing most of the work, and I’m helping her. Plus the usual financial stuff.”

“I understand there’s an opening for an assistant director at the foundation, and your name has been discussed,” he said.

Cooper had heard that? Did it mean Larissa was seriously considering me? “I’d heard that, too.”

“What’s this?” My mother’s dark eyebrows disappeared under her blown-out bangs. “A director?”

I hadn’t meant for her to hear about it until I’d gotten the position, but it was worth the distraction from the Mateo line of questioning.“Assistantdirector. And it’s not a done deal. Far from it. But there is a position, and I told Larissa I was interested.”

“Does it pay more than what you earn at Synergy?” Her gaze was sharp.

I definitely didn’t want to have this conversation in front of Cooper. “Um, I—” I cringed and shot a glance at Cooper.

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