Page 38 of I Think He Knows
Oh, nooooo. No, no, no.
I go fire-engine red as I look back at Mona, planning to explain the actual innocence of the situation. Instead, I’m startled—though I shouldn't be—to see her covering her mouth with her hand, wheezing with laughter. “Wow, she’s got a big imagination!”
Legs crosses her arms and glares. “Nuh-uh. It was real.”
I give Allegra a reassuring look before addressing Mona again. “Well, Carterwasat our house the other morning, but it was not—”
“Oh, Lana!” Mona’s eyes are full of faux-sympathy as a honk of nasally laughter comes from the police car. I glance over to see that Mona’s husband is now joining in, chuckling merrily at the certifiable mother-daughter duo who actually believe that they shared a pancake breakfast with a world-famous actor on a quiet Sunday morning. “Come on. Don’t encourage her. I know that you might want to write it off as a big imagination, but she was lying in theLord’s house, of all places. And let me tell you, kids who lie like that often turn out to besociopaths.”
My jaw sets.
There’s only one sociopath here, and it’s not my daughter.
Before I can even think about what I’m doing, I’m unbuckling my seatbelt and getting out of my car. I stand right in front of Mona—yasss, I’m taller than her—and steel her with a filthy look. “That’s extremely rude and uncalled for, Mona. I don’t know where you get off calling a child names, for goodness sakes, but in any case, Allegra isn’t lying.”
Take that, lady.I don’t care who messes with me, but call my daughter names and I’m gonna go full mama bear on your ass.
Unfortunately, my impassioned speech is met with a derisive snort. “If you say so, Lana Mae. You know, I expected more from you. Which may have been a mistake on my part, but honestly, involving your daughter in whateverthis—”
The screech of tires momentarily captures our attention and we look over to see a battered black Jeep swinging into the parking lot. A black Jeep I know very well. In fact, Carter’s had this same Jeep since the night I met him and he drove my vomity self home. He won’t give it up, no matter how much money he makes. Says that it has sentimental value. I don’t know what kind of “sentimental value” he’s talking about, but I suspect he may have lost his virginity in it. He has neither confirmed, nor denied, my theory.
The Jeep grinds to a halt and Carter leaps out, looking good enough to eat in a crisp white tee that shows off his toned, tanned biceps, slim cut jeans, and a pair of white Nikes. He obviously went home and showered, got changed and shaved—there’s a hint of a five o’clock shadow that accentuates his strong jaw in place of the scruff that was there this morning.
Mona stares at him like she’s seen a ghost, but he doesn’t even spare her a glance. His attention is fixed firmly on me. “Llama, thank the Lord! I had to come find you. You said you were picking up Legs from dance class so I drove that way, then I saw your car in this parking lot here, and… I am so sorry, I can explain—”
“Hi!” Before Carter can say another word, I’m launching myself at him, flinging my arms around his neck and pulling him close in a valiant attempt to get him to shut the hell up. Even in the midst of my frenzy, I register how good he smells. Woodsy cologne, clean laundry, a hint of salt. Mmm. “There you are, babe.”
He blinks down at me in full confusion. “Babe?”
I wrap both my arms around his middle and smile up at him, hoping to goodness that he gets the memo and plays along. “I’ve been missing myfiancéall day.”
“Fiancé…” Carter looks from me, to Mona, then back to me. I widen my eyes at him a little frantically, and I can practically see the penny drop. His stunned expression quickly slides into a confident smile. “Oh…ohhh.Yes. Fiancé. Missed you too, gorgeous.”
I roll my eyes at him. Isn’t this guy paid the big bucks to, yanno,act?!
Now onto my little deception, he grins mischievously, his stance visibly relaxing. His vivid blue eyes lock on mine and he reaches up to push a lock of hair off my forehead with his warm, calloused fingertips. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you before you left this morning, but you look beautiful today, sweetheart. I love you in that dress.”
My entire body blushes and shivers at his compliment and his touch (I know, I’m pathetic and touch-starved). Carter’s grin only widens and he puts one arm around me, squeezing my shoulder, and sticks his other hand out towards a gobsmacked Mona. Who doesn’t look unlike a big mouth bass at this moment. It’s not my least favorite thing I’ve ever seen.
“Hey, I’m Carter. You a friend of Lan’s?”
“I, uh, I….” Mona stutters.
“This is Mona McCreary. She’s the president of the PTA at Allegra’s school,” I offer cheerfully. Never thought I’d see the day that The National Enquirer was stunned into silence. “Oh, and her husband, Lance.” I nod towards the cop car, where Lance is looking a little pale and jittery as he sticks his hand through his open car window.
“Very pleased to meet you. I’m a big fan,” Lance mumbles, the tips of his ears turning red.
“Thanks, man.” Carter shakes his hand briefly before turning back to me. Almost like he can’t tear his eyes off me.
Phew, those acting skills are finally coming out.
“What’re you doing at Sonic, Lan? I’m making dinner tonight, remember?” The corner of his mouth twitches as he winks at Mona and Lance. “Steak and lobster. Champagne. Anything she wants. Nothing but the best for mybabe.”
He’s clearly enjoying himself way too much right now. And while I have a million questions about how on earth the media got ahold of a story that sayswe’re engaged, I can say that, at this moment, I’m actually kind of glad for this misunderstanding.
Because the look on Mona’s face?
Priceless.