The Right One - Felice Stevens Page 0,31
he couldn’t control his actions.
“Then what was it? Everything seemed perfect between you except the fact that he worked so hard.”
“We grew apart, okay? It happens. I don’t want to get into this. It doesn’t matter. We’re divorced, and I’m never going to see him again. I have a new life, and friends, and I’m sick of hearing about him.” Immediately regretting his outburst, he forced a smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I just really don’t want to talk about Jeffrey anymore. It’s a chapter of my life that’s closed.”
His mother didn’t say anything, her thoughtful gaze on him for a long moment, and then she gave a brisk nod. “All right, then that’s what we’ll do. You’re young and living in the city. I’m sure you’ll find someone soon.”
He shoved a cookie in his mouth. “Mmm, delicious.”
“What about that Leo?”
Morgan choked. “Wh-what about him?” A cup of coffee sat out for him, and he took a sip to wet his suddenly dry throat.
“I feel like he has a story.”
“Mom, you watch too many TV dramas. Leo’s just a guy.”
“Mmhmm.” She sipped her coffee. “He’s very good-looking.”
Morgan chose to ignore her, but he must’ve forgotten that never stopped his mother from asking questions.
“So he’s the one you have a date with tonight? I heard you mention him picking you up for the barbecue.”
“I wouldn’t call it a date. His friend is having a barbecue, and when we were at the ball game, she had him invite me to come with him.” Okay, that sounded like a date, and if he could admit it to himself, he’d been a little freaked out at spending the whole evening with Leo and his friends.
“So, this not-a-date thing is new with people your age? ’Cause in my day, when someone invited me to go to a party with him, it was a date.”
“Please, Mom. Can you stop? Leo and I barely like each other. He’s rude and sarcastic, and we’re always arguing about something. He’s not my type at all.” Yeah, gorgeous, tattooed, muscular guys with blue eyes he could drown in were so overrated.
“I see.”
Which meant she had so much more to say, but surprisingly, she remained silent.
“How’s Dad?” He took another cookie and stuffed it in his mouth. “God, I’d forgotten how good these are.”
“He says hello. Has a little summer cold, so I left him with some chicken soup and the television remote. He’s in heaven right now.”
“I’ll bet.” The silence rose between them until Morgan couldn’t take it any longer. His mother was so not the silent type. “Okay, just say it. I know you’re dying to tell me whatever’s on your mind, so go ahead.”
But his mother fully intended to have her moment, so he waited while she finished drinking her coffee.
“As I see it, Leo is a nice man who didn’t have to invite me into his home. I’m a stranger and mean nothing to him. Unless you do.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. We barely know each other, and the times we do talk, we usually end up arguing.”
“Uh-huh.”
Her enigmatic smile only confused him further, so he changed the subject. “What would you like to do for the rest of the day?”
She brushed her hands together. “I think I should go home.”
“Mom, your train ride was almost four hours, and we’ve spent less than one hour together. Come on, it’s fine. Do you want to go to a museum or something?”
“I should’ve called you first, so you were expecting me. It’s totally my fault for surprising you.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Morgan chewed his lip. “I can cancel the barbecue. You’re more important.”
“Don’t you dare. Why don’t you order in one of those pizzas you’re always telling me are so good, and I’ll take some home to your father? That plus a glass of wine will make for a nice visit, and next time, maybe you can come see us?”
Relief settled in his chest. He didn’t really want to cancel, but he knew it took her so long to come down to see him, and he didn’t want to look ungrateful.
“That’s perfect. Thanks, Mom.” He picked up his phone and opened the delivery app. “Pepperoni or mushroom?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Why not both? Let’s live a little dangerously.”
Visions of Leo came to mind. If only that didn’t mean something totally different to him. “Both it is.”
***
By four o’clock the pizza had been finished, along with a glass of wine that put