Page 255 of Tell Me I'm Enough

“What?” her mom laughs. “He’s respectful, veryhandsome, and polite. Why wouldn’t you date a guy like Mason?”

I feel Simone go still next to me, and when I look up, I see that her face has gone red.

I stare at her, assessing her thoughts, and then look back at her mom.

“We’re just friends, Mrs. Edwards,” I say smoothly. “And trust me, she could do a lot better than me.”

Simone’s eyes flick up at that.

Her mom waves a hand. “Oh, please.”

I look back at Simone and soften just a little. “Your daughter is lovely, and I’m glad to call her my friend. She’s…really special.”

That part isn’t fake.

Not even a little.

Her mom makes this little cooing sound. “Wow. See? How can younotfall for that?”

“Mom!” Simone hisses again, mortified.

Her dad clears his throat lightly. “Alright, hun. We should probably go sign in.”

Her mom squeezes Simone’s arm. “Okay, okay. I can take the hint. We’ll be right over there, okay, baby?”

They walk off toward the registration table, and Simone turns to me immediately when they’re out of earshot.

“Oh my gosh,” she says. “I’m so sorry.”

I laugh. “For what? Your mom thinking I’m handsome?”

She shoves me lightly. “She’s so embarrassing.”

“She’s nice,” I say honestly. “Both of them are.”

She studies me. “You did well.”

I shrug. “I can be charming when I need to be.”

“You always are,” she says quietly.

That makes me smile. But before I can say anything back, I hear a familiar voice from behind me.

“Mason.”

I don’t need to turn around to know that the devil is close.

I watch Simone’s expression shift and reluctantly turn around, annoyed that after just one interaction with this man, she’s already affected by his presence, too.

My dad stands there in a tailored jacket, sunglasses perched on his head, and his hands in his pockets, staring at me with contempt.

“Why aren’t you answering my calls?”

I shrug. “Phone must’ve been on silent.”

He stares at me for a second like he doesn’t believe that. And I couldn’t really give less of a fuck if he does or not.

Then his gaze shifts…to Simone. He looks her up and down in a way that makes my stomach turn with irritation.