Free Standing By: A Knight's Tale #2 by Claudia Y. Burgoa Page B

like… I don’t know. You met them; it’s embarrassing and then you left without a word. It felt as if you wanted out, or that I’ll blame you for it. That’s why I avoid introducing my friends to my mother.”
    “Because she ends up having sex with them?”
    “There’s that. Are you going to—?”
    “Damn, Hayley, that’s out of the question. I have nothing but respect for your mother.” I narrow my eyes. “Well, not too much respect after that scene but I wouldn’t sleep with her. We’re friends, right?”
    “Not sure, you and your ego are extremely obnoxious on a daily basis.”
    “My ego as usual bleeds from your comments,” He chuckles and I smile. “There, smile, check. Now continue pulling and pinching as I read my magazine.”
    “You’re getting flour on it.” I complain.
    “You said you already read it, Hayley, now let me continue learning how to lose those pesky pounds while eating what I like.”
    “I don’t know if you’re mocking the magazine, or me.”
    “No.” He closes it and I notice the corner of his lips slightly lift. “I’m mocking whoever wrote this article. There’s no way in hell women like to eat alfalfa sprouts as it says in here. No one likes that. What you like to eat is a subjective term. This Kwarovsky guy needs to learn what women like to eat, then write an article. Why are you reading this? You need to eat real food. Today’s Fitness doesn’t talk about fitness, only diets.”
    “You’re so not reading my other magazines.” I don’t even understand why he’s reading this one. I should place a yellow tape around my office that says No Mitch Allowed .
    “Like Unique Woman ?” He asks while wiggling his eyebrows. I feel the heat creeping through my face. “Certainly not. Since I don’t care about taking the quiz, ‘Does his size matter to you?’ but I am curious about ‘The biggest O yet.’”
    “You read it, didn’t you?”
    “No, only browsed it.” He bursts into a full-blown belly laugh. “So, little roll of dough, does size matter to you?”
    I place my lip between my teeth and start fidgeting with it. How can I tell him that I don’t…? I haven’t… well… The term saved by the bell fits almost to a T. Except I’m saved by his ringing phone.
    “What’s going on, asshole?” He answers the phone, then lifts his gaze and shakes his head. “I’m busy; I can be there in half an hour. Yes, doing my secret thing that I won’t tell you because I’m more important than you. Hey, those were your bride’s words, not mine.” Mitch places the magazine on one of the top shelves and walks around the working table to where I stand. “Half an hour, forty-five minutes. I have a few things I need to tie up before we leave for… yes, well you’ll have to repeat yourself. No, I’m not being difficult, I’m just making sure I take care of my… see you then, asshole.”
    I take a side-glance at him, which is difficult when he’s standing behind me.
    “Are you going to be okay without me?”
    “Wow, conceited much?” I question his sanity. Why wouldn’t I be? “Mitch, you’re leaving for the day. Yes, I’m shaken up about my parents, that’s a daily thing for me. Funny, it hasn’t happened sooner to you and you’ve been visiting for about two weeks. I’m impressed.”
    “That’s daily?” He takes a step back and stares at me in shock.
    “Yes, and that was nothing. I think my mother controlled herself because of you or maybe her alimony check is due soon. Either way, things didn’t escalate the way they normally do. Now go and talk nicely with your brother.”
    “My twin is being a pain in the ass; therefore, I’m entitled to be one too. As for leaving for only one day, I’m actually leaving for his bachelor party. I won’t be back until Sunday night or Monday. Will you miss me?”
    “No.” I take a side step to look at his face.
    “At least do something fun for once in your life, Hayley.”
    “You know,” I tell him,