Layover (Open Skies #1) - Becca Jameson Page 0,47

of trouble to invite him.”

Libby shook her head. “No. You knew I didn’t like Eddie. We had one date. We didn’t connect. I told you that.”

Her mother harrumphed. “I didn’t remember you telling me that, and it would seem to me you need to give people more of a chance. He was a charming man last night. I liked him. I don’t understand why you’re so obstinate.” She gasped suddenly. “I hope you’re not going to tell me you’re not interested in men.” Her eyes widened as if that would be a horror worse than death.

Libby groaned. “Jesus, Mamá. What if I wasn’t? What if I wanted to date women? Would you disown me?” This was a good test.

Maria rubbed her hands on her apron, flustered. A tear came to her eye. “Is that it? Are you interested in girls, Libby?”

Libby rolled her eyes. “No, Mamá, that’s not it. But so what if it was? Truth is, I just don’t like Eddie.”

“You say that about everyone you date.” The woman pouted. Pouted.

“And that’s my prerogative. You have to stop meddling. I’m not going to settle for someone I’m not in love with. If the sparks aren’t there, then there’s no reason to keep dating someone.”

Her mother shook her head. “That’s not true. It’s not always love at first sight, Libertad. Sometimes you have to let it grow. Give someone a chance. Eddie is a perfect example. He’s kind, handsome, polite, and he’s obviously into you. He comes from good people. His parents have connections. They come from old money. Have you been to his house? It’s that brick mansion at the corner of Mason and Deerpark. You know the one?”

Libby gasped. She knew the house, if you could call it that and not a castle. She hadn’t realized Eddie owned it.

Her mother kept talking. “You would live a comfortable life with someone like him.”

That was enough. She didn’t care about Eddie’s damn money. Libby slapped her hands on the table, making her mother jump in her seat. “Stop it. Stop trying to fix me up. It’s not going to happen with Eddie. It’s your fault that he has false hope now, and I have to freaking go talk to him and tell him—yet again—that I’m not interested.”

“Watch your language, Libertad.”

Libby rolled her eyes. If you even knew how hard it is to substitute freaking for fucking. She rose from her chair, hands on the table, leaning over. “Stop it. Stop it now. No more dates. No more meddling. Got it?”

Her mother stared at her and then wiped her eyes dramatically. “I’m just trying to help.”

“I don’t need any help finding a man, Mamá. I’ll find one on my own.”

Her mother sighed dramatically. “Okay, if you really don’t have feelings for Eddie, fine. I’d like you to do me a favor though. One of my neighbors, Josefina Morales, her grandson just moved to Dallas. He doesn’t know anyone in town. I already told her you could give him a tour and show him around. Please don’t embarrass me and say you won’t.”

Libby literally growled at her mother.

Her mother sat up straighter. “It wouldn’t really be a date. Just being a helpful citizen.”

“No.” Libby turned and walked out of the house without looking back. She feared if she’d stayed another second, she would’ve said things she couldn’t take back. It was the first time she’d ever dared to confront her mother.

It felt…good.

Maybe one day she would muster up the confidence to tell her she wasn’t marrying a man from Guatemala, too. Because what Libby now realized was that no matter what happened between her and Jason, she was incredibly attracted to him. She was hoping they could continue to build on it.

This was not how she wanted to spend her day. Not even close. She’d intended to go for a run, do some laundry, read a book in her favorite armchair.

Instead, she was on a rampage hunting down people who needed to be set straight.

She’d never been to Eddie’s house, nor had she intended to go today. She’d thought she would call him. But now that her mother had told her where he lived, Libby figured it would be easier and faster to just go to the door. It might even send a stronger message.

Granted, Eddie was probably at work. It was the middle of a weekday. But it wouldn’t hurt to try. If he happened to be home, she could put an end to this now. If not, she would call