Page 114 of The Wild Card

Then I set the phone down and close my eyes.

But I don’t sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The Rebound

Emmie

Mom’s kitchen smells like Sunday even though it’s Saturday—roast in the oven, fresh bread cooling on the counter, something simmering on the stove that’s probably going to be the best soup I’ve ever tasted.

“So.” She sets a cup of tea in front of me and settles into the chair across the table. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I haven’t been avoiding you.”

“Emmeline. You’ve missed two Sunday dinners, and you’ve answered exactly three of my forty-seven texts.”

“You sent forty-seven texts?”

“I was worried.” She stirs her tea, watching me with those eyes that have always seen too much. “What’s going on with you?”

I wrap my hands around the warm mug. I’ve been dreading this conversation for weeks. “Crew and I broke up.”

The words hang in the air. Mom’s spoon stops mid-stir.

“What?”

“We’re not together anymore. It’s been… a few weeks now.”

“A few weeks?” Her voice pitches up. “And you’re just now telling me?”

“I didn’t know how to—” I stare at the table. “It’s complicated.”

“What happened? Did he do something? Did he hurt you?” Her mama bear instincts are flaring. “Because I don’t care how many tactical assessments he’s passed, I will drive to Dallas and—”

“Mom. He didn’t do anything. Not really. It just… didn’t work out.”

She’s quiet for a long moment. When I finally look up, her expression isn’t angry anymore. It’s disappointed. Somehow that’s worse.

“I really liked him,” she says softly.

“I know.”

“Your father liked him too. And you know how your father is with the boys you bring home.”

“I know, Mom.”

“He fit, Emmie. With the family. With you.” She shakes her head slowly. “I saw the way he looked at you at Sunday dinner. Like you were the only person in the room. Like he couldn’t quite believe you were real.”

My throat tightens. “Mom, please—”

“I’m just saying. That’s not easy to find.”

“I know it’s not.” I take a sip of tea, mostly to have something to do with my hands. “But it’s over. I’m trying to move on.”

“Move on how?”

“I have a date tonight, actually. Sadie set me up with someone. A sous chef. His name is Reece.”