Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
My cell phone vibrated in my pocket, and when I pulled it out, I saw “Mom” flashing on the screen. I sighed and tapped accept. My parents were awesome, but the older I got, the more obsessed my mother became with grandbabies. And since I was the oldest of their four kids…
I knew exactly what had prompted this phone call. My sister, Sadie, was visiting from Baltimore. She was married, but both she and her husband were doctors and finishing up their residencies. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be taking the pressure off me anytime soon.
Brant and Jessic, my younger twin brothers, were professional soccer players. Neither one was interested in settling down so early in their careers.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Oh, not much,”—yeah, right—“Sadie and Tom say hi, by the way.”
“Tell them hello and I’m sorry I couldn’t make it up to see them this time.”
My parents still lived in the same Harlem neighborhood where I’d grown up—one street over from Dempsey’s family. It wasn’t exactly a long commute up there from Midtown, but I’d been slammed with endorsement meetings, a photo shoot, and now dinner with my best friend and his wife. Sadie and Tom had only come into town for forty-eight hours, but I hoped to be able to see them the next time they were in town.
“They understand. All of my kids have such busy lives. No wonder none of you have settled down and started a family.” She sighed, then added, “Of course, I’m incredibly proud of all of you, even if you haven’t given me grandbabies yet.”
“Thanks,” I replied dryly.
“You mentioned you’re having dinner with Dempsey and Skye tonight? He’s such a good boy. He’s made his mother so happy. She’s thrilled with her daughter-in-law, and I doubt she’ll have to wait long before they start a family.”
“You’ve made your point, Mom,” I muttered. “Well, I better hang up. I’m almost there.”
“Did they set you up on a double date?” she asked, hopefully.
“Dempsey knows better than that. Blind dates are always a disaster.”
“Psh,” she scoffed. “I’m sure Skye could set you up with someone wonderful. You should give her a chance.”
“Maybe,” I conceded, crossing my fingers behind my back. I felt guilty for not being one hundred percent honest, but reminding her that I had zero interest in a relationship would only make her double her efforts to change my mind.
“Wonderful! Oh, don’t forget my birthday party next month. You’re welcome to bring a date. That could be your present to me!”
For shit’s sake.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Gotta go. Love you, Mom.”
I hung up and shoved my phone back into my pocket as I arrived at the restaurant. Dempsey and Skye stood waiting for me in the line leading up to the host podium. Even with reservations, there was often a wait to get into popular restaurants in New York City.
Skye waved enthusiastically when she spotted me, and I smiled in return as I approached them. I bent down to give her a hug, careful not to squeeze her too tight because she was so small. Petite women always made me feeI like a lumbering giant who might break the fragile female. I wasn’t sure how Dempsey, who was as big as me, didn’t worry about hurting his tiny wife with his strength. Especially now that she was round with his baby.
When I released Skye, I grinned at Dempsey, who was glaring at me. He didn’t like anyone—even his best friend—touching his wife. Particularly, his unmarried best friend, although he knew I would never go there.
I clapped him on the back, and we shook hands.
“What’s with the sour look on your face?” Skye asked curiously.
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “Just a well-meaning person trying to wind up my biological clock.”
Dempsey snorted a laugh. “Talked to your mom, huh?”
I glared at him. “Thank you, by the way. If you hadn’t run off and gotten married, let alone had a baby on the way. No offense, Skye.”
“None taken,” she giggled.
“My mom wouldn’t be hounding me even more. ‘Dempsey’s such a good boy. He’s made his mother so happy. Why can’t you find a nice girl and settle down like Dempsey did? Give me a grandbaby like he’s doing?’ Suddenly, you’re everyone’s favorite son, even my mom’s,” I grumbled.
My friend laughed and tucked his wife into his side. “You’re welcome.” Then he grinned. “And for the record, I was always the favorite.”
“Alright, you two,” Skye chuckled, then smiled at me. “You just haven’t met the right girl.”
I grunted noncommittally, then changed the subject. “How was your trip?”
The couple had recently returned from a trip to Florida, their last vacation before the baby was born.
I was a little envious. A relaxing vacation sounded amazing, especially if it involved beaches. However, I had no desire to be stuck on a ship where I couldn’t escape all the single women if word got around about who I was.