Free Game Saver by BJ Harvey Page A

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    Abi and I both look up to see my still perfectly poised mother and my grinning sister—small baby bump and all—standing beside our table, instigating a sneak attack.
    “Cook,” Abi replies before I can stop her, and I stifle a groan.
    There’s a reason why I keep my private life secret and that reason is my mother’s need to find out everything about anybody involved in her children’s lives.
    Cameron is of the same mindset as me—don’t tell the parents anything they could, and would, use to further their own agendas.
    And from the look on my mother’s face right now, this is definitely an information-gathering exercise. By the end of the night it wouldn’t surprise me if she had already found out Abi’s full history, college GPA, and credit score.
    “I apologize for not being able to talk to you more when you arrived but now that things are quietening down, I just had to come over and get to know you better,” my mother says. My eyes dart to Callie’s, catching the word ‘sorry’ crossing her lips.
    “Can I at least sit down first, Mom, before you grill her?” Callie asks. “I know I’m only four months, but my feet are killing me.”
    My mother’s head jerks to my sister, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
    I stand up and hold my chair out for my sister and move to stand at Abi’s back. “Take a load off then, Cal.”
    “Thank you,” she says, collapsing in the seat and breathing out a huge sigh of relief. She turns her body towards Abi and holds out her hand. “Hi, I’m Callie, the older sister. My husband, Jonathan, is probably at the bar, drinking his fair share of the bar tab—and mine—but if he comes over, I’ll be sure to introduce you.”
    Abi laughs and grins up at me before turning her attention to my sister. “Hi. I’m Abi.”
    “Oh, I know. My mother rang me straight after she got off the phone with Cade last week. She was beside herself.”
    “Callie,” my mother warns, and a quick glance over at her face shows her obvious discomfort.
    My sister ignores my mother’s warning. “That dress is amazing. Please tell me it’s not off the rack and you had it fitted to look that good on you.”
    “I borrowed it, actually. Off Zoe, Noah’s wife.”
    “Wow,” Callie breathes. “And the shoes . . . I’d kill to be able to wear those right now. My feet get sore at just the thought of heels.”
    “I bet. Do you know what you’re having?”
    “Thankfully not twins, that’s for sure,” Callie says, shooting a quick glance up at me and poking her tongue out, making me chuckle. “One bouncing baby girl.” She leans over and quietly adds, “Much to my parents’ annoyance.”
    “Callie!” Mom gasps. “We’re over the moon that we’ll be having a granddaughter soon.”
    “Of course you are, Mom,” she replies.
    “And Abi . . .” my mother says, switching her attention back to my date, “what is it that you do? Cade wasn’t very forthcoming with information about you.”
    “I’m a hotel manager,” Abi replies cheerfully.
    “Oh . . .” Mom’s voice giving away her opinion of Abi’s answer. “And you’re from Chicago?”
    “Colorado originally.”
    I drop my hand to Abi’s shoulder and give a gentle—hopefully reassuring—squeeze.
    “Mom, leave the poor woman alone,” Callie says, narrowing her eyes.
    Mom’s face goes pale, and she lifts her fingers to rest over her heart. “I’m sorry, Abi. I didn’t mean to—”
    With perfect poise, Abi doesn’t miss a beat. “It’s perfectly fine, Mrs. Carsen.” She reaches back and rubs my hand on her arm. “You’re just being a protective mother. My mom has four sons, and I’ve witnessed her carry out many a Spanish inquisition.”
    My eyes bug out, and Callie’s mouth drops open. Abi just handled my mother. Like a pro. That’s definitely earned her more than one orgasm when we get home.
    My mother plasters a polite smile on her face and rallies in the face of what to anyone else would be certain