Except…I couldn’t explain where theseBIGemotions came from.
I was saved from answering by our order number being called.
I shot out of my seat to grab our food. My stride was a lot slower than usual to give me extra time to settle my thoughts.
I picked up the tray with our food and took my time grabbing sauce and utensils. I knew pulling the napkins out of their holder sheet by sheet could only buy me so much time, and then I’d have to return to Dan and explain myself.
And god…what if he asked about the boner?
What was I supposed to say to that? That his scent turned me on? That ever since he made me come, I couldn’t stop thinking about his hands?
“Clay? Clay, you okay?”
A dainty hand waved in front of my face, merging with the rough one that I’d been dreaming about. The disconnect popped the bubble of memory as I focused on my mom’s concerned expression.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” I asked, pushing her hand out of my face.
“Victor and I were just grabbing some food. We saw you and your brother were here as well,” Mom said, and gestured to where Victorwas sitting with mybrother.
I’d never had an issue when they referred to him as that in the past, but this time, I had to push down the urge to correct her. Dan was mystepbrother, but more importantly, he was my best friend.
He was justmine.
Mom hooked her arms through mine, her smile turning wicked.
“Guess who else is here?” she asked, but she didn’t even give me a second to answer before she was pulling me with her. “It just so happens the daughter of my friend’s neighbor is also having dinner. You should eat with her.”
“Mom, wait. Dan’s waiting for me to bring back our food?—”
“Don’t you worry about that. We’ll make sure he’sfed, so just enjoy your time with Jessica!” Mom said, still pulling me along.
“Mom, I told you I didn’t want?—”
“Jessica! Look who I have here!” Mom called before I could stop her.
A woman sitting a few tables down from where Dan sat turned our way and stood, and I knew it was too late to slip away. I couldn’t have escaped even if I wanted to, anyway. Not with the death grip Mom currently had on my arm as she continued to pull me along.
I tried to glare at my mom, but it only bounced off her. She was all smiles as she greeted the woman named Jessica.
“Well, I’ll let you kids get to it! Have a good dinner!”
“Mom—”
I tried calling her. My hand reached out to stop her, but it only caught the dust that tracked up from her quick escape.
She quickly flitted to Victor’s side and plopped into the seat beside him.
Dan was slowly munching on some fries our parents must have ordered, though he made it obvious he was watching me. His brow twitched when our eyes met. One side of his lips turned down into a half-frown.
He was clearly angry, or at the very least, annoyed.
I unconsciously took a step toward him, wanting to make whatever pissed him off go away. I wanted to make everything okay for him.
“Clay? Is everything alright?” Jessica asked from behind me.
Fuck. I’d forgotten about her.
I twisted back to the woman and tried to force a smile. I was royally pissed at Mom for pulling this crap, but my manners prevented me from taking my anger out on the person in front of me. She probably thought I’d agreed to this blind date like she had.
