Page 26 of Stay for Me
It’s official, I’ve lost my mind.
Melanie walks in, looks at the piles, and raises a brow. “Did you see a mouse or something?”
I sigh. “No. Why?”
She points at the mess on the bed. “Are you finally updating your wardrobe?”
I bristle at that. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”
“Nothing if you’re from the last millennium.”
“You’re grounded.”
Melanie seems uncaring. “Sure I am. What are you worried about?”
“The barbeque tomorrow.”
“Because?”
“It’s people that I don’t really know. I want to make a good impression.”
She sits beside me. “They’ll love you, Mom. You already know Devney and Ellie, right?”
I nod.
“See, and you know Jacob.”
“I do.”
I can still feel the way his hand felt on my skin. How hot and intense that stupid touch was. I haven’t done anything but wonder about what being with him could be like, which is very dangerous territory.
Melanie starts to pull out items from the pile. “Why are you nervous if you know all of them?”
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t either because Jacob has already seen you . . . not impressive.”
I laugh. “This is true.”
Melanie shifts a bit. “Do you like him?”
“Who?”
“Jacob.”
That pride about being honest I was feeling now is completely void. “I don’t know him enough to like him that way, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Melanie keeps pulling clothes out, not looking at me. “I know you guys are going to work on the play together.”
“Yes, we are.”
“And?”
I wait for her to stop fidgeting with the items in front of her and look at me. After a few beats, she does. “What are you asking me, Mel?”
“I don’t know. Do you like him? Do you want to date him or anyone else? I’m not judging you, Mom.”
I know my daughter, and I know where this is going. “Why are you asking this?”
