Page 56 of Hate to Love You

“That sounds fun.” Again, her tone implies that she doesn’t want them having too much fun.

A hesitant smile lifts Karen’s lips. “I think it will be.” She adds, “This is our third date.”

“You’ve been out twice with this guy already?” Natalie raises a brow. “Guess I wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.”

Her mother’s cheeks pinken, and she glances away. “I didn’t want to mention anything until I was sure it was going to lead somewhere.”

Karen’s excuse is a near echo of what Natalie said about our relationship.

“And is it?”

Karen shrugs. “We’ll see. He’s a nice guy, but I’m taking it slow.” She glances at the thin silver watch adorning her wrist. “I should probably get going.” She holds her daughter’s eyes. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Call if you need anything, okay?”

Before Natalie can respond, I say, “Don’t worry about a thing, Mrs. D. I’ll hold down the fort until you return.”

The thinly veiled tension she’d been vibrating with dissipates as a gurgle of laughter falls from her lips. “Thank you, Brody…I think.”

I see her to the door, telling her to have a good time. Once it’s closed, I turn to Natalie, who has followed me into the foyer. Now I have her all to myself. This is so much better than being at an overcrowded party with a bunch of drunk assholes.

“I like your mom. She’s cool.” And hot for being a MILF, but I keep that part to myself.

Natalie settles her hands on her hips and arches a brow. “You’ll hold down the fort, huh?”

“Yup.” Before she can kick my ass to the curb, I rub my hands together. “Let’s get this movie situation figured out.” I head back to the kitchen, leaving her to stare wide-eyed at me. “I think I’m ready for round two of that stroganoff.” With a grin, I toss an innocent look over my shoulder. “Want to fix me a plate, wifey?”

I hear her growl and can’t resist chuckling.

Chapter Nineteen

Natalie

I sneak a glance at Brody as we sit on the sectional in the family room. The lights are off, and we’ve got a movie playing. He’s sitting so close that his hard, muscular thigh rests against mine.

It shouldn’t be a distraction, but it is.

Had I been thinking about strategy, I would have allowed him to choose his seat first. Then I could have selected a different spot with a ton of space between us. Unfortunately, I plunked myself down and he practically sat on top of me.

Instead of enjoying the movie, I’m intensely aware of the point of contact between us. I don’t think I’ve ever been more conscious of another person in my life. And I hate it. It’s the last thing I want or need.

Especially with a guy like Brody.

It’s like asking for trouble and being surprised when you get it.

I fled from campus because I needed a little distance from this guy. Somehow, my plan backfired, and now I’m spending the evening alone with him in a dark room. It doesn’t make a damn bit of sense.

Then again, nothing has made sense since Brody opened his trap last weekend and told Reed, along with everyone else, that we were an item. My life has been flipped upside down ever since. And I’m not sure how to get it back to the way it was. The way it should be. I’m drowning in the deep end over here, and there’s no lifeguard on duty.

My phone chimes with a message. Thankful to have something else to focus on besides Brody, I pick it up and glance at the screen.

Ugh.

Hard to believe there’s someone else I want to deal with even less than the guy I’m with.

Dad.

He’s texted a few times since our dinner went sideways. I haven’t bothered responding. What’s there to say?

Congratulations?