Chapter 8 #2
“Why do they always use the oven being left on as an excuse to leave? I don’t get it. If you slow cook ribs or roast, doesn’t the oven get left on for hours with no problem?”
“Good point. That does seem to be a popular excuse to ditch and run.”
“Well, consider it your excuse to leave right now. I’m sure you have something better to do than to get sucked into one of Barb Langford’s dating schemes.”
Archer rubs the stubble on his chin. “I do have a booking at the stables, but I can hang around here for a bit if you’re hungry.”
“Nope, I’m good.” I stand, extending out my hand. “Archer Kade, it was nice to officially meet you. Thank you for being such a gentleman about my crazy mom.”
He shakes my hand as he stands. “It wasn’t a problem at all.”
We both leave the cafe, walking in opposite directions. Just before I get to my car parked in front of Beet and Barrel, my mom jumps from her hiding place behind a planter.
“What happened? Things were going so well. You were both smiling, and then you just stood up to leave.”
I glance at the cafe window. “You were spying on us?!”
Oh, good heavens! This woman is next-level insane.
“I might’ve been spying. I told you how much I love romance.
It shouldn’t be that big of a shock that I hung around to see you fall in love.
But you didn’t even give it a chance.” She’s angry with me.
I can tell by the little vein that pops up on her forehead.
That vein was a constant when I was a child.
“Ari, I can’t help you if you’re not willing to help yourself. ”
Great, I’m the daughter that needs help. I bet Landrie has never required this kind of hands-on attention from my mother.
“Mom.” I keep my voice calm but confident.
“I appreciate you caring about my happiness and my future, but I need you to stop meddling in my love life. You have to stop trying to introduce me to every available man, and especially stop setting me up on dates with them. I don’t like it.
I’ll figure out my dating life on my own when I’m ready. Okay?”
Her chest lifts with a deep breath as my words sink in.
See? Like I told Wade, an adult conversation rooted in honesty solves everything.
She lifts her chin. “No, I can’t accept that.”
“No?” My head kicks back. “What do you mean, you can’t accept that?”
“I heard what you said, but sometimes mother knows best. You’re my baby girl. I can’t just stop meddling in your love life. It’s my job to give you guidance.”
Confusion sweeps over my face as I try to digest her answer.
“Now, if things aren’t going to work out between you and Archer Kade, Jaxon told me he has a really great friend from college in Saratoga Springs.
His name is Ethan Miner. He’s coming to the wedding.
Jaxon thought you two might hit it off. So I’m going to get his number, and you two can start talking.
Who knows? Maybe by the time the wedding gets here, you’ll be in a relationship. ”
I blink back at my mother, completely dumbfounded.
A direct conversation and clear boundaries did nothing.
NOTHING.
She used her “Mother Knows Best” card to disregard my feelings.
Now what? Nobody teaches you what to do next if that doesn’t work.
Divine intervention comes in the form of Wade Stevenson.
“Mrs. Langford.” Wade appears next to me on the sidewalk, nodding at my mother. “Miss Langford.” He shoots me one of his glimmering smiles. “Boy, am I glad to run into you two beautiful ladies.”
“Wade.” Mom’s voice is civil, but traces of her previous annoyance are still there.
“Why are you glad to see us?” I face him, fully expecting to put him and his charming rhetoric on the spot.
“Well, I have something I wanted to ask you.”
“Really?” I fold my arms, not buying it.
“Now, Mrs. Langford, I apologize for not taking care of my business with your daughter in private, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.” That’s when Wade turns to me. “Miss Langford, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me tomorrow night?”
My eyes narrow, causing the corner of Wade’s mouth to tick higher.
“I know you have plenty of gentlemen in pursuit of you. I just saw you with the great Archer Kade—formidable opponent, to be sure—but I’d love to throw my hat in the ring.”
Oh, I see.
Wade saw me with Archer, probably heard my conversation with my mom, and now he’s using that information to strong-arm me into his fake-dating scheme. He thinks he’s backed me into a corner.
But I can’t be forced.
Not by my mother.
And certainly not by Wade Stevenson.
Just as I’m about to decline, my mom beats me to it. “That’s kind of you, Wade, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for a teacher to date the principal. You know how the town loves to gossip.”
My eyes go from my mom to him, and in one split second, I have a change of heart. “I’d love to!”
Something about my mother wanting me to date, but not wanting me to date Wade, fuels my answer.
It’s the rebel in me. I’ve always had a time trying to keep her at bay.
“Then it’s a date.” Wade’s grin is somewhat adorable if I’m being honest. “I’ll meet you at the school at five-thirty.”
“At the school?”
“We’re driving the cheerleaders to the away football game.”
More pieces of Wade’s agenda fall into place. He’s using me to fend off Ashtyn.
“That doesn’t really feel like a date,” I challenge.
“Like your mom said, I’m the principal, and you’re a teacher. It only makes sense that we go to the game together.” He winks at my mom. “I don’t mind a little town gossip.”
The vein on my mother’s forehead appears once again, but Wade is too busy bowing at us. Bowing. “Ladies.”
He strides away with an overexuberance of confidence that I’ll deal with later.
Once he’s out of earshot, my mom flips her head to me. “What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” It’s so easy to fake innocence right now. “I thought you wanted me to find someone to date.”
“I do, but not Wade.” The emphasis on his name speaks volumes about my mother’s opinion of him. “He is nothing but trouble.”
“The other day you said he was a good boy who would end up being fine.”
“I was just trying to make his mom feel better. He has a reputation.”
“Well”—a satisfied smile covers my lips—“so do I. I guess we’re perfect for each other.”
“His reputation is for being a womanizer who won’t commit. Yours is for falling for men who are no good for you. And it looks like you’re doing it again. Ari, I can’t watch you get hurt again.”
“It’s just a date, Mom.”
“How do you not see the similarities between Wade and Andy?”
Trust me, I do. But I’m not going to give her the satisfaction.
“What can I say? I have a very specific type.” I fling open my car door and drop into the driver’s seat. “I’ll see you at home.”
And with that, I leave my mother standing there with her jaw practically touching the sidewalk.