“Disney World is fine but I think Gramma had too much of Mickey and Minnie for one day. Me and Gramps are going to leave her at the hotel and go to Epcot later. How was the ball last night?”
Kylie was surprised her daughter remembered anything about the ball. “It was nice. Your godmother’s committee did an excellent job.”
“Was Marcus’s father there?”
Kylie raised an eyebrow, wondering why Tiffany wanted to know. “Yes, he was there.”
“So you saw him?”
“Yes, I saw him.”
“Was he with someone?”
Kylie refused to answer that. “Tiffany, why are you asking me questions about Marcus’s father?”
“Oh, just curious. Marcus and I talked before I left and he’s concerned that his dad doesn’t date much.”
“It’s not the end of the world for a person not to date, Tiffany.”
“I know and that’s what I told Marcus since you don’t date, either. Okay, Mom, I got to go, Gramps is waiting for me. Talk to you later.”
“Okay, sweetheart, have fun and tell Mom and Dad hello.”
After she hung up the phone Kylie decided to cover all her bases in case Tiffany hit up her godmother for answers about the ball. She quickly picked up the phone and dialed Lena’s number. “Don’t be surprised if you receive a call from Tiffany asking questions about last night’s ball,” she told her friend.
“What kind of questions?”
“Like who Chance was with.”
Lena chuckled. “He was with you.”
“Yes, but I prefer her not knowing that, Lena.”
“Sure, if that’s the way you want it.”
“It is.” Something in Lena’s voice made Kylie wonder if her friend was all right and she decided to ask.
“No, not really. I met this gorgeous man last night at the ball. He asked me out and I turned him down.”
“Why?”
“Kylie, you know the score. Do you know how many times I’ve been dropped, sometimes even before the first date, when the guy finds out Mom and I come as a pair?”
“Not all guys will make a big deal out of it, Lena.”
“Yes, but I’m tired of trying to figure out those who will and those who won’t. I don’t plan on dating for a while.”
Kylie frowned. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Lena chuckled. “Looks who’s talking.”
“My situation is different and you know it. I don’t date because I prefer not to. You want to date but you’re afraid to.”
“I am not.”
“You are, too.”
“Okay, so maybe I am. What’s wrong with me protecting myself against heartbreak?”
“You don’t know that will happen for sure. And if a man doesn’t want you because you care enough to see to your mother’s welfare, then screw him.”
“Umm, speaking of screw…where did you and Chance disappear to last night?”
Silence pulsed over the line for a brief second and then Kylie said, “He took me home.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“And why do I think there’s more to this story?”
“There is, but I’d rather not discuss it now.”
“Okay, just know that I’ll be all ears at lunch on Wednesday.”
“I doubt if you’ll let me forget. Goodbye, and remember what to say if Tiffany calls asking questions.”
As soon as Kylie hung up the phone she thought about her conversation with Lena. Lena was her very best friend, but there was no way Kylie would confess to her all she’d done with Chance last night and this morning. Just thinking about it made her feel mortified on one hand and giddy with pleasure on the other. Still, some things had to be kept from even your best friend. She could just imagine the look on Lena’s face if she told her what had happened in the shower this morning, and how Chance had taken her against the wall while water sprayed down on them.
She glanced at the overnight bag on her bed. Chance had asked her to spend the night at his place and she’d agreed. Since this weekend was the only one they would share, she planned on making the most of it.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN