Total pages in book: 189
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
Carrying his plate with the bone-dry toast to the table, he sat down. “Where are the preserves?” He kept his voice even.
“I threw them out.”
The self-satisfied declaration coming from Kendra was exactly what he had expected. From the wealth of satisfaction he could read on her face, Moon would bet his last dollar that the prune-faced bitch had just been waiting for him to ask.
Larissa stared at her mother as if she had grown two heads. “Mom, why on earth would you do that?”
“They were filled with sugar, of course.” Kendra smoothed her styled hair as if unconsciously checking to make sure no loose tendril had escaped.
Moon had been around a lot of women in his life, and he had never seen a woman more concerned about her appearance, regardless of the time of the day or night.
“Don’t look so upset. I bought a fruit spread, if you absolutely have to have something. If Moon weren’t so concerned about those DNA killers, he would have seen the jar on the shelf in the pantry.”
“The one that says no sugar added?” Biting off a piece of omelet, he chewed as he debated whether to kick her ass out of the house tonight or in the morning.
“Yes. I prefer Larissa eat fresh fruit, but if she absolutely wants it, at least it doesn’t have any sugar or preservatives.”
“Or any taste,” he said cuttingly.
“I find them very tasty, but then, my taste buds haven’t been ruined by commercial junk put in my body.”
He ate the rest of the bacon, then took a sip of the orange juice and nearly spat it out. He placed the glass back on the table and got to his feet. Going to the fridge, he took out the orange juice. It was the same brand he always bought.
Holding the container, he turned back to the table. “What’s wrong with the orange juice?”
“I replaced it with an all-natural brand.”
“Then why is it in the bottle I bought?”
“To prove you can’t taste the difference.”
His fingers tightened on the bottle. He had just bought the juice the day before.
When he pinned his gaze on Kendra’s forehead, a sound coming from Larissa interrupted the pitch he had been about to make.
At her pleading glance, he set the juice back in the refrigerator.
He reassumed his seat at the table to finish his food as Larissa stared miserably between him and her mother.
“Mother, tomorrow, I think it would be better if you moved in with Priss and Lana.”
Moon was surprised at Larissa finally taking a stand against her mother. So far, she hadn’t said anything, regardless of how derogatory Kendra behaved toward them. He had been about to make the same suggestion, except using more profane language, after they ate.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Larissa. With Moon working, I need to be here in case you go into labor.” Giving a long-suffering sigh, Kendra put her hands in the air. “I promise I’ll let you eat your food without interjecting my input from now on. I was just trying to do what I truly feel is better for your and the baby’s health.”
“Mom, I get that, but what you did was disrespectful. Moon spent a lot of money on those preserves from Ginny. Throwing food in the trash was a total waste.”
“I wasn’t about to destroy someone else’s body by giving it away. Like I said, I’ll keep my opinions to myself from now on.”
“Mom”—Larissa stood, reaching for her empty plate—“I’ll text Lana and Priss that you decided to move in with them tomorrow.”
“You’re throwing me out over something as silly as preserves?”
“It’s not just the preserves. I don’t get why you’re acting this way. You have Moon thinking I was adopted. What’s going on?”
“I’m just anxious with you being so close to your due date.”
Moon’s lips thinned in anger when he saw Kendra reach out and grab Larissa’s hand.
“I apologize.” Kendra’s eyes moved in his direction. “I’ll go to the grocery store in the morning and rebuy the orange juice and jelly. Darling, you know I only want what is best for you and the baby. I didn’t mean to go overboard.”
Moon’s stomach sank at the relieved expression filling Larissa’s face.
“I know you do, Mom. You always have.”
He wanted to cry when Larissa bent down to hug her mother.
“I’m so happy we worked this out. I wanted to be able to spend this time with you alone before the baby arrives. After she comes, it won’t be the same.”
“No, it won’t.”
Moon’s instincts kicked into high gear. He didn’t think Kendra’s words were meant at face value.
“I’ll do the dishes and turn in for the night,” Larissa said, moving toward the kitchen.
“I’ll take care of the dishes. You go to bed.” Moon stood with his plate, took Larissa’s from her, and went into the kitchen.
“Are you sure?”