Chapter 201
Mamie didn’t feel any relief when she got home.
Scott’s parting words kept echoing in her mind. “Thanks for dinner today. Next time, it’s on me p>
She couldn’t figure him out, and she honestly didn’t want to. Her gut just told her to keep her distance. With Scott, it always felt like getting any closer would only bring trouble.
She’d barely kicked off her shoes when her dad called. “Your mom fainted. Get to the hospital. Now p>
Mamie’s heart dropped. She grabbed her keys and rushed out the door.
As soon as she walked into the hospital room, her father started in on her. “Mamie, we raised you. Is this how you repay us? You run off, don’t call, don’t visit. If your mom hadn’t collapsed with a heart problem today and forced me to call you, would you have ever come home again p>
Mamie pressed her lips together. She didn’t even know why he was so angry.
She took a breath and tried not to argue. “Mom, how are you feeling p>
Claire shook her head. “Don’t take your father’s words to heart. But think about it, Mamie. We came back to the country for your wedding, and in the end, you didn’t get married. Now you say you don’t ever want to. That really hurts us p>
Mamie just couldn’t understand why her parents were so hung up on her getting married.
“I’m not saying I’ll never get married. I just haven’t met the right person yet p>
“But you don’t even try. You avoid meeting new people, especially men. Isn’t that basically saying you won’t get married p>
Mamie glanced at the heart monitor and saw her mom’s pulse climbing, so she softened her voice. “Mom, calm down, okay? Just talk to me p>
Her dad grumbled, “Your mom’s sick because you drive her crazy p>
Claire squeezed Mamie’s hand. “I mentioned Lewis to you before, remember? He’s every bit as good as Addison. For my sake, just meet him. Don’t think of it as a blind date, just a meal with a friend. Please p>
It’s hard to keep saying no when your mother is in a hospital bed, holding your hand and pleading.
“Alright, I’ll meet him p>
The very next day, under her mom’s watchful eye, Mamie added Lewis on social media. He’d just come back from overseas.
[Lewis: Hi Mamie, I found a great French restaurant. I can pick you up after work. How about dinner together p>
She frowned at the message, but quickly replied, [Sure. No need pick me up. I’ll drive myself. Just
address
send me the address and I’ll meet I’ll meet you there
Lewis took half an hour to reply, but eventually agreed.
Mamie had learned her lesson about being picked up. From now on, she’d always drive herself.
She picked out a cropped, tailored
blazer that hugged her waist, paired it with a vintage V-neck blouse, and slipped into a high-waisted black pencil skirt with a side slit that hit just below her knee. The Tookwas sharp and smart, but still feminine.
A server led her to a window table in the main dining room. She spotted Lewis right away.
He looked a bit older than she’d
expected. He wore a green net
shirt under a little vest, and goldrimmed glasses sat on bis nose. Clearly, he’d made an effort
But Mamie was never a fan of men who dressed too flashy.
She smiled politely. “Hi, I’m Mamie. You must be Lewis p>
He nodded. “Sit down, Mamie. I’m Lewis p>
He adjusted his glasses and gave her a look. “You grew up overseas, right? I
thought you’d be better with time management p>
Mamie caught the hint of attitude. “Sorry? Lewis, I don’t think I’m late p>
“You’re not late. I just got here half an hour early p>