Page 148 of Dark Endures

I'd better hurry as fast as my tired, achy body will let me.

***

Of course, Mom picked one of the priciest restaurants in Urbium. At least changing made sense. If I tried to enter wearing jeans and a nice blouse, they probably would have booted me out.

A man in a penguin suit opens the door as I walk up. That has to get hot in the summer. “Thank you.”

The maître d’ greets me.

“My name is Mindy Peters.”

“Ah, Ms. Peters, your party is already seated. I’ll bring you to them.”

Party? Great. Mom definitely met a new guy. They must be serious. Or he could be all about family, and she wants to reel him in with me. I’m not a cute little kid anymore, but I can make her seem motherly and caring.

The man sitting next to her is fine. Though Mom always picks elegant men. He’s probably in his mid to upper fifties, possibly lower sixties. From his perfectly styled hair to his buffed nails and cufflinks, this man screams old money.

I already hate him.

Mom clearly loves him or at least thinks she does.

Which means I need to be nice to him. Thank you, Winnie, for this amazing dress that didn’t cost ten dollars at the local thrift store.

That man would know.

He’ll probably know that I’m just pretending to be comfortably off, but really, I’m homeless at the moment.

“Mindy, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you.” My mom stands up and hugs me.

Yup, it’s definitely impress the rich guy day. Oh joy.

“Mom.” I give her the perfectly crafted hug. It’s not too tight to wrinkle her dress, but close enough to look genuine and caring.

“I want you to me, my fiancé, Percival Linckester.”

Oh, that’s definitely an old-money name.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my dear. Your mother gushes about you all the time.”

The real me or the imaginary one in her mind?

We all sit down.

Mom reaches over and takes Percival’s hand in hers. “We wanted to tell you the good news in person. We’re getting married.”

Shocker.

I hope she ironed out the details of the prenup already, because this guy probably has his money locked down hard, and Mom never marries unless there’s something in it for her. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for the two of you.” And so not ready for the divorce that’s sure to happen in the next year or two. “When’s the big day?”

“Well, about that...” She blushes prettily.

“What your mother is trying to say is that our nuptials are being celebrated this weekend.”

This weekend? “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.” Keep that fake smile up.

“It seems your invitation got lost in the mail. But don’t worry, we saved your seat. Since, of course, you’ll be my maid of honor.”

Wonderful. “Oh. How will I ever get a dress made in time?” Like Mom would accept anything less than a custom dress from this man.

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