Page 97 of Things We Fake
Sue straightened up as though she was about to take an oral exam. Which was sort of true.
“Susanne.” Mom reached for her hands, her tone filled with warmth. “I’m Helen Jones. It’s so lovely to meet you.”
Her touch was gentle, her smile kind, but I knew her too well. She was assessing Sue.
I silently tried to send her a mental message.Stay calm. Look normal. Remember, she’s not a T-Rex, so she can still see you even if you don’t move.
Sue smiled, looking remarkably composed. “Mrs. Jones, it’s so wonderful to meet you, too. Cam talks about you all the time.”
She lifted a knowing brow. “Not all bad, I hope. Please call me Helen. It keeps me young.”
She turned to me, and I enveloped her in a long hug, inhaling deeply. Her scent had been unchanged all of my life, a constant, reassuring mix of Channel and the herbs she religiously kept in her little garden.
“It’s so good to see you, Mom.” I held her at arm’s length so I could look at her. “Can we at least get in the car before you start the psychoanalysis?”
Becky chuckled. “Oh please, she started the moment she saw Sue step out of the car.”
Sue gulped quietly.
“Come on, let’s get moving.” I opened the door to the back seat. “If we’re late, Sue’s dad and brother will give me the third degree.”
“And what’s your family’s job in all this?” Becky asked Sue as she climbed into the back seat.
“To treat Cam as though he’s the main suspect in a triple homicide, and they’re the detectives investigating the case,” Sue deadpanned, making all of us laugh.
Mom gave her a look, her smile widening just a little. “Oh, I like you. Feisty. No wonder Cam fell for you.”
I pulled into traffic, and let them get to know each other, while I observed in the rear view mirror.
Becky leaned forward between the seats. “So, Sue, let me see the ring.”
Sue lifted her left hand obligingly. Becky and Mom gasped, exchanging suggestive glances.
“My, this is gorgeous,” Mom said, her eyes bright.
“Classy.” Becky turned Sue’s finger to study the stones as they caught the light. “So when’s the big day? Can I be a bridesmaid? Can I pick my own dress?”
I groaned. “Bex, can you at least pretend to behave for five minutes?”
“I don’t know, Cam. Can you pretend you’re not weirdly obsessive about organizing your sock drawer?” She turned back to Sue, grinning. “What do you think about his quirks? Does he have any new ones we don’t know about?”
Sue swallowed a laugh. “He’s done a great job organizing my condiments. I honestly love his quirks, I think they’re adorable.”
Becky cooed, fanning herself. “Boy, you’re really crazy about him. You two are going to give me cavities.”
I shook my head to hide how pleased I actually was. “I should’ve left you at the hotel.”
Mom chuckled, crossing her legs. “Becky, give the poor girl a break. It’s already overwhelming enough to meet both families at once.”
Sue turned to Mom, her eyes exuding maniacal gratitude as she sensed a potential ally. Or at least a spot of sanity.
“Thank you.”
“Of course,” Mom said, smiling. “I’d rather hear what you do. Cam tells me you’re a teacher?”
“Middle grade,” Sue confirmed. “So basically, part-time educator, full-time chaos coordinator.”
Becky let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh my God, I wish I had a teacher like you. Mine were all either ancient or terrifying. I bet you’re the fun one.”
