Page 162 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
“That is so cute, though,” Mandy said. “How old is he?”
“His name is Austin and he’s four,” I replied.
“Ahh, so is there a crazy ex in the picture, too?” Mandy asked. It was a good question. I had no idea where Austin’s mom was. Was Cayden divorced? Had it been a one-night stand?
“Actually, I’m not sure,” I responded. “He didn’t give any information, and I didn’t ask.”
“It’s an instant family, just in time for the holidays,” Mandy joked. “By the way, what are you doing for Christmas?”
I shook my head.
“Hopefully nothing,” I said. “I feel bad because I want to see my sister, but I cannot deal with another Christmas with my mother. You have no idea how awful she is, Mandy. I haven’t talked to her since last Christmas, and I have no intention of talking to her anytime soon. It’s hard because my sister is so important to me and it’s not her fault that my mom is a bitch, but I can’t be around any of my family.”
Mandy nodded, letting me know that she understood. Suddenly, my phone began to vibrate. I looked at the caller ID. Cayden. My heart skipped a beat. Should I answer it?
“Answer it!” Mandy hissed, obviously reading my mind. I picked up the phone.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey, Tiffany,” Cayden’s voice came across the line. He even sounded gorgeous on the phone.
“Hi,” I said.
“How are you?”
“I’m good,” I responded. “Just wrapped up a yoga class with Mandy and we are out grabbing a coffee before we head back home. How are you?”
“Good!” He said. “I was hoping you would answer. Would you be free tonight to go out with me?”
Holy shit, he was asking me out again. It was both something that I hoped for and feared at the same time. I wasn’t sure I could go out with him again, definitely not as soon as tonight. Even though it had happened Thursday morning, my sex dream was still fresh in my mind.
“I’m busy tonight,” I told him. “Mandy and I are going out to dinner.”
Mandy opened her mouth with surprise. We didn’t have any plans that night. In fact, she was working.
“I am not!” She said, but I had already covered my phone, so Cayden couldn’t hear her.
“That’s too bad,” Cayden said. “Tomorrow night, then?”
He was relentless.
“I’m busy tomorrow night, too,” I lied. Suddenly, Mandy snatched the phone out of my hand.
“Hi, Cayden,” she said. “This is Mandy… I’m good, thank you for asking… You know, Tiffany and I can go out any night, plus I think I may need to pick up an extra shift at the hospital. She will be ready tonight at 7:00.”
With that, she hung up on Cayden. It was now my turn to sit with my mouth opened in shock.
“Mandy!” I yelled. “What the hell was that for?”
“You can thank me later,” she said. There wasn’t a trace of regret on her face. Part of me was furious with her, but the other part was secretly happy. Despite my weirdness after our first date, the initial date and kiss after did go very well. I needed to stop blocking myself off from what could be a great thing.
“It will be good for you, Tiffany,” Mandy said. “Please don’t be mad at me. I just thought you needed an extra push.”
I rolled my eyes.
“The damage is done now,” I sighed.
“Oh, please,” she said. “You’re acting as if I’m making you go out with a loser. Cayden Lewis looks like he just walked off a movie set. I’m definitely going to mention this little moment today in my Maid of Honor speech at your wedding.”
