Um, whaaa? “Why would you say that?”
He’s silent so long, I have to look at my cell phone to ensure we’re still connected. “Mike?”
“It’s none of my business at all, but it just seems really obvious how much you’re into each other.”
“We are not. We hate each other.” Yes, I’m back to that. I’ve worked out my stupid feelings and I was being reckless. Knox is always impulsive so this was a train wreck waiting to happen. It was just a weird attraction, and he made that clear the last time we saw each other.
“Okay. Hey, I have to get going. We’re finishing up at the restaurant and I’m needed.”
“Sure, okay. See you next week?”
“Yes, see you then. Bye, Rowan.”
I don’t get a chance to say goodbye because the phones disconnect. That was so weird. I have no idea why Mike would think such a thing. It’s fine. Whatever. I sink under the covers and run the conversation with Mike through my mind. Then I think about the very last time I saw Knox: “I don’t need to try to beat Rowan.” Nope, Mike is definitely wrong.
After a fitful night of sleep (no dreams that I can remember, thankfully), I crawl out of bed and into the guest bathroom, washing my face and teeth and getting some sort of semblance of normalcy to my coily hair. When I come out, smells of buttery bread float down the hallway from the kitchen. I go to investigate as Mama is pulling rolls out of the oven. I look at my watch. How long have I been asleep? It’s only seven in the morning, so she must have risen at five at the latest even if she was using rapid-rising yeast. She has ham and eggs sizzling in the pan, and I’m thoroughly flummoxed.
“What’s going on, Mama?”
She jumps a country mile, dropping the tongs she was holding.
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
“Where did you come from?”
I blink. “Um, the bathroom? Why?”
“When did you get here?”
Oh, okay. This is making sense now. Somehow, she didn’t know I was here all night. I guess she wouldn’t considering she’d already gone to sleep, but seems like she should have heard me in the bathroom at least. “I came last night before Daddy left. You were sleeping, so I checked on you, then went to bed.”
She turns the stove off and angles her small self in front of the frying pan. As if I couldn’t smell all that animal fat she has going on behind her. “You should have told me you were here.”
“Sure, okay. Did you want me to wake you up? I didn’t realize I couldn’t stay over without asking?” It’s not like I haven’t done it a trillion times before.
“No, that’s fine. I just wish I’d known.”
I make my way over to the refrigerator to see if there’s any juice, her gaze following me the entire way. There’s some pomegranate juice so I take it out to pour myself a glass. “Do you want some?”
“Yes, sure. Thank you.” She covers the skillet and bread with one of the hand towels hanging from the oven handle. Does she really think I don’t know what’s going on here?
“Mama, let’s just get this over with? You know full good-and-well you’re not supposed to have any of that behind you.”
She has the nerve to look offended, narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips, putting her hands on her hips.
“No, no, no, Lillie. Don’t even try it. It’s almost like you don’t want to feel well. Your biggest enemy right now is food that’s terrible for you.”
“That’s Mama to you. You’ll never be that grown.” She turns around, balancing her hands on the counter. “I can’t just give up all the food I’ve grown up with overnight, Rowan. You don’t understand. And with everything going on with the restaurant, it’s a comfort.”
I walk over to her and hug her from behind, my five-nine frame engulfing her petite self. “You’re right, Mama, I can’t imagine what that’s like. But you’ve been so sick lately, and the doctor has done everything for you, medication-wise. You have to meet her halfway and take care of your diet.”
She slumps in my arms and shakes her head. “You’re right. Of course, you’re right. I’ll do better.”
I step back and assess her as she turns toward me again. “Are you feeling a little better? You don’t look as tired.”
She shrugs and grabs the juice I poured her off the counter, moving to the kitchen table. “I always have more energy in the mornings.”
I sit next to her at the table. “I have news. We were accepted back in the competition.”
Her face is blank at first before she smiles and her eyes light up. “How?”
“The Ortiz family dropped out for ‘personal reasons’ and that’s all I know. I’m just trying not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Know what I mean?”
She nods and takes another sip of her juice, frowning at the sour taste. “That’s next week though, right?”
“It is. And they’re coming to the restaurant Sunday for B-roll footage. They’re already going to be in town for the Everhearts on Saturday.”
She makes to stand but is slow in getting up. “I better get myself together.”
I put my hand over hers and coax her to look at me. “I’m going to see if Hannah can substitute for you, Mama. You’re not well, and I can’t tax your body even more in good faith.”
She snatches her hand away. “It’s not your decision. It’s mine and I’m going. I’m not an invalid.”
Tears sting the back of my eyes, but I breathe through it. “You can’t. Why are you being so stubborn? Had I known you’d react like this, I wouldn’t have even told you.” The truth is, I was dreading telling her knowing this is exactly how she would react.
“This is my restaurant, Rowan. I call the shots. Not you.”
Whelp, she may as well have slapped me. That surely
