“You’re not embarrassed because I’m a biker?” he asked.
“No, I’m not.”
“Luna, you’re a bad liar.”
“I’m not embarrassed. I don’t know how they’re going to react. I never brought a boy home. Not even through college. I’m the relationshipless daughter.”
Matthew kissed her cheek.
There was a knock on the door, and a guy she’d been told was Rick stuck his head around the door.
“Matthew, man, we’re needed.”
“Shit!” He turned to look at her. “I’ve got to go.” He kissed her. “I’ll be back. I’ll support you with whatever you decide.”
He climbed off the bed.
“Don’t you need to take care of that little problem?” She nodded at his tented pants.
“I’m already thinking about it,” he said.
“What?”
“You with someone else. Anger always makes me soft. You’re mine, and I never want to share you.” He moved toward her, kissed her lips, and then he was gone.
Her cell phone had stopped ringing, but she knew her mother. Within seconds, she rang again.
Luna accepted the call and saw it was a face-to-face call. She lifted her cell phone in front of her face, and her mother appeared before her.
“Hey, Mom,” she said. She was still lying down on Matthew’s bed, so she wouldn’t be any the wiser about where she was.
You’ve got to tell her.
“Honey. I was starting to get worried sick.”
“No need to.” She forced a smile to her lips. “How’s the cruise going?”
“Oh, it is going lovely. I’m not going to lie, though. I think we should have booked for a week, two at tops, because being on the ocean is losing its appeal quite fast.” Her mother sighed. “Butit is wonderful. If you didn’t have a problem with being out on the water, you would love it.”
“I’m sure I would. So long as it was a hotel, on land, with the ocean surrounding, maybe.”
Her mother chuckled. “There is something different about you, sweetheart. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but you do seem so different.” She pursed her lips. “What is it that I can see?”
Luna rolled her eyes. “I’m happy, Mom.”
“Aha, that is it. Yes, you do seem happier than I can recall you being in a very long time.” She started to pout. “You know that isn’t healthy, don’t you? Is this because of Mac Reynolds? Is he treating you well?”
“Ew, Mom, no. Honestly, Mac and I are fine. He’s my boss and nothing there is going to happen, like, ever. Okay?” She shook her head. “It’s someone else.”
“It is?”
“Yeah, I’m seeing someone.”
“Who?” her mother asked, looking all excited.
“Matthew Bana,” Luna said.
“Matthew Bana. I know that name. Why do I know that name?”