Free Bitter Sweet Deception (The Kingsmen M.C Book 4) by Tara Oakes

make sure to leave Chisolm before noon. Mom has never been a patient person; if I leave her waiting in a restaurant more than a few minutes, I’ ll just be opening myself up to her passive/aggressive payback when I finally show. I t’ s just easier to get there first and throw her off-kilter a bit, leave her scrambling for something else to harp about.
    Tempur a’ s is a modern Japanese steakhouse with a kick-ass sushi bar. I eye the scrumptious rolls as my waiter leads me to my table, and as the uniformed sushi chefs create their delicacies. No one in Chisolm eats sushi. Wel l… maybe Li l’ s does, but being knocked is n’ t exactly conducive to eating raw fish. I plan on ordering at least two or three things to make up for lost time. The waiter leaves me with our menus and sees to it that we have a round of tall water glasses before leaving me to wait for my guest to arrive.
    I check my watch. I have eleven minutes to spare. I check my makeup in my small compact mirror. Looks OK, even for mo m’ s standards. I smooth my black wrap dress and tighten the bel t… would n’ t want her claiming I’ ve put on a few pounds. My knee high boots are trendy but now I’ m second-guessing mysel f… God, I hope she does n’ t think the y’ re trampy.
    After my thorough inspection of my appearance, I grow restless waiting for her. My glass of water is almost finished, my chopsticks opened and practiced with. I’ m rusty at first, but I’ ll get the hang of it. The pinging of my message alert on my phone saves me from beginning to play with the sugar packets. I t’ s Li l’ s.
     
    HEY CHARLI E… MY PO P’ S NOT FEELING WELL
    H E’ S BURNING UP
    GONNA BRING HIM IN TO THE E.R.
    YOU WORKING THERE TODAY?
     
    Crap. I have n’ t had a chance to speak to her since we got back from the campout yesterday. Sh e’ s probably getting herself all worked up about Butch getting high or drunk and having a bad reaction. I t’ s pathetic. At his age, he should start acting like a damn adult and not a deadbeat. Even though I know tha t’ s not likely.
     
    SORRY. I’ M OFF TILL THURSDAY.
    I’ M JUST RUNNING SOME ERRANDS
    DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL THE NURS E’ S STATION
    AND SEE WHAT DOC IS ON DUTY?
     
    I ca n’ t believe he has the fucking nerve to put his daughter out like this.
    What am I saying?
    Of course I can believe it. Just look at his track record. I t’ s disgusting.
    “ Darling ! ”   my mom is in earshot. I look up from my phone and search for the face to match the voice. Sh e’ s dressed to the nines, hostess leading her to me.
    An d… sh e’ s not alone.
    “ Hey, sis , ”   Dana calls out, less than enthusiastically.
    I let out the slightest moan, not sure if the y’ ve heard,
    “ U h… hi, guys . ”   I stand to give mom a light hug and peck on the cheek. Dana reaches out next, but I stiffen up.
    I purposely asked mom several times if she was coming alone. After the falling out Dana and I had, I have no desire to see her, let alone share a meal with her. My mom watches our interaction carefully.
    “ Fantastic! I knew this was a great idea. A girls lunc h… just like we used to have . ” Sh e’ s so damn proud of herself right now.
    I breathe deep, keeping my frustration in check before it makes a very public appearance. I smile tightly, before taking my seat and unfolding my napkin. The hostess hands us each a leather-bound mini-portfolio with the da y’ s specials listed. Ther e’ s an extra one in her hand and she places it in the middle of the table.
    “I’ ll just leave this here for the last member of your party , ”   she smiles before attempting to leave.
    I clear my throat.  “ Ahe m… you must be mistaken. This is all of us. W e’ re all here . ”
    My eyes sweep over my family members sitting across the table from me to signify who I’ m talking about.
    The college-aged hostess looks visibly confused.  “I’ m sorry. A gentleman called to add one more to your reservation .