Like I’m going to tell her about Charlie. I don’t need another busybody on my case about that she-devil.
“All right then. I want to ask you something.”
“Shoot.” I relax against the back of my chair.
“Mom is on my case about school next year. She doesn’t want me to attend Rushmore.”
“Why the hell not?” I frown.
Jane twists her face into a grimace. “She wants me to go to an Ivy League school. Barf.”
“Hmm, you’re smart enough to get into one. What about Stanford? It’s not Ivy, but it’s a top school, and you’d still be in California.”
“I don’t want to move to Northern California. I like it here. Besides, John Rushmore is an excellent school. Why aren’t you taking my side?”
I pause for a couple seconds. I’m always on my sister’s side, especially where our mother is concerned. So why the hell am I not rebelling against the Ivy League idea?
“Because we’re talking about your future here, Jane. If you can go to a better school, why not?”
Pursing her lips, she crosses her arms over her chest and glowers at me. “I’m not moving. If you’re not going to help me convince Mom, then please don’t gang up with her against me. It’s bad enough that Dad is with Mom on that front.”
He would be, considering he’s a Stanford alumnus. Maybe I am being an ass by not supporting Jane with her decision.
“Sorry. I won’t join the Stanford team. I’m on your side.”
Her serious expression softens. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I glance to my right, trying to catch the attention of the waiter, when I spot a familiar face on the other side of the restaurant. Son of a bitch.
“Speaking of the devil, Mom is here.”
Jane turns to look. Our mother is sitting alone at a table, but then a man approaches her. She glances at the stranger, and her face splits into a radiating smile. The man leans down to kiss her on the lips.
“Whoa. Mom has a new boyfriend?” Jane says in awe.
“It looks like it.”
We watch the scene unfold in silence. Mom’s new guy sits across from her and then covers her hand with his. The way they keep staring at each other tells me the relationship is new. They’re in the honeymoon phase.
“I don’t feel comfortable staying here. Should we go?” Jane asks.
“Sure, but not before I introduce myself.” I get out of my seat.
“Troy….”
Ignoring Jane, I make a beeline toward Mom’s table. She doesn’t notice me until I’m hovering over them.
Her boyfriend glances at me, frowning. “Can I help you?”
“No, just came by to say hello to my mother.”
The guy’s face becomes pale in an instant. He looks at Mom, who has a deer-in-headlights gaze. It’s clear my interruption is soiling their romantic mood. Ah, something is finally going my way today.
“Troy, what are you doing here?” she asks finally.
“I could ask you the same thing.” I turn to her companion, extending my hand. “I’m Troy Alexander. And you are?”
“Bill. My name is Bill.”
We shake hands, and then an uncomfortable silence follows. Not for me though. I’m having a great time making Mom squirm for a change. This is too much fun.
“So, how long have you kids been seeing each other?” I ask.
“Uh, your mother and I are just friends.”
The lie confuses me. Why would he say that when a second ago, they were gazing at each other like two teenagers in love? They both look extremely uncomfortable now.
“Is everything all right here?” a newcomer asks.
Glancing at his button-down shirt and slacks, I guess him to be the manager. Man, he’s good if he noticed the discomfort at this table from afar.
“Everything is peachy. I was just saying hello to my mother.” I flash the guy a dazzling smile.
He glances at my mother and her boyfriend as if to get confirmation that I’m truly not bothering them. Mom remains frozen, but her date nods ever so slightly.
I clap my hands together. “Well, I’d better get back to Jane. It was really nice meeting you, Bill.”
“Yeah, same,” he mumbles, still dazed.
I’m smiling from ear to ear when I return to my table.
Jane’s green eyes are as round as saucers. “I can’t believe you went there.”
“I would never pass up the chance to annoy Mom. You should have come.”
“Who is the guy?”
“Some schmuck called Bill. He didn’t give me a last name.”
“Odd. Maybe he was afraid you’d come after him.” She laughs.