Page 57 of Reckless Kisses
“Of course.I mention you to her now and again.And she still hopes that one of these days you’ll get me in trouble.”
My mom always loved Knox.She always said I was too much of a good girl, and that maybe Knox would get me to live a little.
He laughed and wiggled his eyebrows.“Who knows, Amy.Maybe I will.”
“Nah, you missed your chance in college.”
“I think there’s still time.”
I racked my brain for another subject.“Are you hanging out with Jeremy again tomorrow?You were out with him last Friday, right?”
“We don’t have a standing date, so to speak.Whenever I have free time, I ask Duncan if I can take Jeremy out, and we go from there.”
“And that works for Duncan?He seems to be very exact and would have to plan everything.”
He chuckled.“He’s learned to go with the flow.We only have to coordinate for weekend trips or something.”
“You do weekend trips with Jeremy?”
“Finn and I sometimes take him out camping.We even took him to Disney once.”He groaned.“Never again.”
“Why not?I’ve never been to Disney.”
Knox turned to me.“Listen to me.You have not missed out on fucking anything, okay?If anyone ever tries to talk you into going, just stand your ground and say no.”
“Oh come on, it can’t be that bad.”
“It’s loud, and there are random characters walking around in costumes.Adults, you know?It’s fucking ridiculous.”
“I didn’t know you were such a grinch.”
“I’m not.It’s just that everything there is extremely fake.But Jeremy enjoyed it.He loved it, in fact.”He paused as if he was remembering something, then said, “Honestly, Amy, you wouldn’t believe it.”
“Of course I would.It’s for kids, not for adults.”
He shrugged.“Well, the magic was lost on me.”
“Oh, you can always find magic in things.Whenever I read to the elementary class I’m substituting for, I do feel gripped by the stories, ridiculous and unbelievable as they are.”
By the time we arrived at my house, I’d completely forgotten about Cynthia.But her name was front and center in my mind again as Knox walked me to my door.
“By the way,” he said as I opened the door, “do you have a pitch sheet you send to potential speakers for the kids?”
“Yes!How did you know?”
“You always like to be prepared.Want me to look over it?Since I’ve done it and am a pro now.”
There he is, the full-of-himself Knox I know.
We both stepped inside the house, and I frowned.“Actually, that would be great.But that might make you late for meeting Cynthia.”
Knox raised his eyebrows.“What are you talking about?”
Shit, shit, shit.Think fast, Amy.
“I overheard you mention something about catching up later tonight.”My voice was strange.I cleared my throat and immediately turned away from Knox, pretending I was busy hanging up my jacket and taking off my shoes.I did it very slowly in order to compose myself.
“Amy,” he said playfully, and I straightened up.
