Page 129 of Awaiting

“You hate these stuffy affairs, don’t you?” Teresa laughed.

“No, I don’t hate them.”

“But they’re not exactly your thing?”

“Not exactly, no.”

“I had an interesting conversation with your mother earlier,” Teresa shared.

“You did?” Alex asked, surprised.

“I approached her at the last party, as per your suggestion, and mentioned that list you said she had. She told me then that she didn’t have a list, after all. But tonight, when I went to say hello, she told me that if I was really interested, she had some eligible bachelorettes in mind for me.”

“She did?” Alex asked, again, surprised.

“She said she had no need for it anymore,” Teresa replied. “So, I’m left wondering why.”

Alex smiled and said, “Yeah.”

“Dr.Woods?” the woman checked. “I do have my spies…”

“We’re not public, Teresa. Please–”

“I won’t say a word,” she promised. “And I am happy for you, Your Royal Highness.”

“Thank you.”

“Also, your mother mentioned a woman in Scotland that I might be interested in speaking with. Any intel for me?”

“She means a friend of mine from the Navy, most likely,” Alex said, smiling. “Her name is Shannon. She’s a lieutenant stationed there.”

“A military woman?”

“Yes. You’d like her, I think.”

“And she’s available?”

“She’s divorced,” Alex replied. “Her ex-wife left her a few years ago. She was cheating on her with another woman. Shannon has been single ever since. You should know that she’s not really expressed any interest in having another serious relationship. The last time I spoke with her was a few months ago, but she seemed fine playing the field, so to speak.”

“My, your mother does seem to know just what I need right now, doesn’t she?” Teresa said with a lifted eyebrow. “Would you be able to make an introduction? I’d love to take a trip to Scotland.”

Alex laughed and said, “I can text her and ask if I can give you her number.”

“Why, thank you, Your Royal Highness.” Teresa lifted her glass in Alex’s direction. “And good luck with your doctor.”

Alex nodded.

???

“You gave your list to Teresa,” Alex spoke later that night when she spotted her mother alone sitting at a table.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, dear. There is no list.”

Alex sat down next to her and said, “Right.”

“I simply know of some women who are also interested in women, and I mentioned one of them to Teresa tonight.”

“How is it you always know these women even whenIdon’t?” Alex asked, smiling at her mother.