“That’s it. I’m not listening to this.” He stood up, his chair scraping the floor. He knew she’d wanted to say something less polite. It’s why he’d rarely brought any of them to see his mother. He’d made the mistake once, a lot younger then, and he’d seen the disapproving look in her eyes. That particular girlfriend had been materialistic, vain, and two-dimensional. Pretty though, and great in bed, which had been the reason Adam dated her, but he could hardly tell his mother that at the time. She’d been a bad choice to introduce to his mother. He’d never done it again, not wanting to see her disappointment. He wanted approval from his mother, more than he ever did from his father. He hated he’d disappointed her. “Not all of the women I date are like Michaela,” he said angrily.
His mother snorted with disbelief, tipping her tea down the sink. “I’m only saying this because I’m worried. Worried you’ll make the same mistake, and then you will be following your father’s very own footsteps. It’ll make you miserable. Don’t be afraid –”
“I’m not! I’ve got a girlfriend.” What was he doing? Trying to please his mother. Getting her off his back.
His mother paused. “You have?” Her face lit up with surprise, her tone softened. “Why didn’t you say?”
“Yes, Sophie.” Oh, please forgive me. “She’s the one I went to the wedding with. We met at Ted’s retirement a few weeks back. She works at the company. We’ve been keeping it quiet.”
“Oh, wonderful! Well, you’ll have to bring her around tomorrow for Sunday dinner. I want to meet her.”
“Oh, uh … Mum, I’m not so sure. We’re supposed to be taking things slowly.”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. The fact that you’ve been seeing this girl over a month – and not told me – must mean it’s serious. It’ll give me an excuse to cook a Sunday roast.”
“Uh … okay, I’ll check she doesn’t have any plans.” Adam finished his tea and pulled out his car keys from his pocket.
“Where are you going? You can stay for lunch if you like, and tell me more about Sophie.”
“I’ve got a busy morning and also need to let Sophie know about the change of plans for tomorrow.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. He might need the whole afternoon to convince Sophie.
“Change of plans?”
“Yeah, well, we weren’t doing much, but I need to let her know.” Adam didn’t like lying to his mother. It had been easier lying to Sophie’s family and friends. “What time tomorrow?”
“Come over midday. I can get to know her a bit, then.” She sounded excited.
Adam nodded as his insides turned cold. Great. What had he done? Now he really had to persuade Sophie to help him keep his mother off his back.
But what if she won’t do it?
After that weekend, she had to help him. She had no choice. One good turn deserves another, and all that.
***
“Oh, Tara, why didn’t you tell me at the wedding?” Sophie had slumped onto her sofa, talking to her sister on the phone. She’d almost not heard her telephone ring, being in the bathroom scrubbing away, with her music turned up so loudly. Her housework needed doing, and besides, it kept her busy so a certain person didn’t creep into her thoughts.
“Rob and I wanted to wait until I’d had my twelve week scan. But look, if everything goes to plan, you’re going to be an aunty, little sis!” Tara never counted her chickens until they’d hatched – like Sophie.
“Everything will be fine. Congratulations!” Sophie found herself squealing with excitement, as if they were teenagers again.
“I wish you were closer to home.”
“So you’d have a guaranteed babysitter?” Sophie chuckled, hiding the regret that maybe she should be closer to home. What was keeping her here, other than her job?
Tara laughed. “Not at all. I’d love you closer to home, you know that, right?”
“Of course.”
“But you have Adam.”
Sophie swallowed. She hadn’t fixed the lie – yet. Probably wouldn’t for a while. Must add to the to-do list.
“Yes,” she replied, cringing. Good job her sister couldn’t see her face.
“Shame, because you could take up Harry’s job offer.”
“I know, I know. But I love my job here, too.”
“Would Adam move?”
“Oh, um, it’s not something we’ve discussed.”
“Maybe you should.” Tara laughed. “Anyway, I’ve got to go - restaurant still needs to open.”
“Make sure you take it easy.” Sophie returned to her housework, turning the stereo up loud. Her sister was having a baby. How exciting!
She had something happy to think about.
***
Adam pulled up outside Sophie’s. Every window in her flat that could open was open, and music escaped them. He was relieved she was home. He’d thought of phoning, but that would have been forewarning and besides, if he’d asked her on the phone she could easily say no. To his face, she’d find him difficult to refuse. He’d make sure of it.
He climbed the stairs, guilt playing on his mind. He knew Sophie had a soft spot for him. She’d been honest, and he shouldn’t use it to his advantage. She’d never forgive him, and he didn’t want to lose her friendship. He didn’t like the thought of her not being in his life. He shook his head and rang the doorbell, not wanting to probe further about that feeling.
He wasn’t right for Sophie. She deserved better. His mother wasn’t right.
The music could still be heard, and it didn’t sound like Sophie was coming to answer the door. Maybe she hadn’t heard the bell. He rang again, trying not to let his impatience get the better of him. He had to remember how he’d left here last night; their conversation heated. It hadn’t gone according to plan. He’d really wanted her to come back to the pub. James seemed to think she’d interpreted Adam arriving at the pub with Lauren in the wrong way. With the pub being busy, Lauren had taken his arm to stop them being separated, and he’d automatically put his arm around her, forgetting himself. Stupidly.
Lauren appeared interested in him, but he’d kept her at arm’s length. She was a client, and he shouldn't mix business with pleasure, though it hadn’t always stopped him before. Thankfully James and Kate had been at the pub; he’d used their excuse of going home and had dropped Lauren off at her hotel early. He’d turned down the invite of a nightcap in her room, saying he needed early night. For some reason, being with another woman felt odd, as if wrong. With Sophie in the back of his mind, it felt like he was cheating on her. Which was ludicrous.
He rang again, and held it for a bit. He didn’t want to appear rude, but he wanted to be heard. Sophie needed to help him, otherwise he was stuck. Or he’d have to find someone to pose as ‘Sophie’. And considering some of women he knew, he doubted they would pass his mother’s inspections.
But would Sophie?
What if his mother hated her?
The music stopped. He rang the bell again to make sure he’d be heard.
“Okay, okay, I’m coming,” Sophie called from behind the door. The door opened, and Sophie appeared, her eyes widening. “Oh. Adam.” She instantly became self-conscious, reaching up to push her hair behind her ears, only to find it wasn’t there, but tied back in a scruffy ponytail. She wore not a grain of make-up, and was clad in a pair of denim shorts and a vest top. She had nothing on her feet, revealing burgundy-painted toenails. Beads of sweat formed along her hairline and she had flushed cheeks – she looked hot. Hot as in heat, though he had other hot thoughts, too. He really did need to get a grip. She looked so natural, and showing off so much flesh brought back pleasant memories.
“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to ring so many times, I wasn’t sure if you heard me.”
“How long you been standing there?”
“Not long.” Adam smiled.
“I wish you’d called.” She rubbed her hands down what material covered her thighs. “I could have got changed.”
“You look fine. I’m here because I need to ask you a favour.”
“As my boss again?” She scowled, placing a hand on her hip. She’d sniped last night about him being her boss. And he was, or would be soon.
“No, as a friend.”
“You’d better come in then. Sorry, I was doing some housework.” Sophie wrapped the cord around the vacuum cleaner standing by her dining table. The room was a large lounge-diner. Adam hadn’t taken much notice the night before. Maybe he’d been distracted by the fact she’d stood there in her dressing gown, with only a towel underneath. All thoughts of this woman being naked distracted him.
Adam followed her to the small kitchen, and stood in the doorway; it wasn’t big enough for the pair of them to enter, he’d get in her way. She filled the kettle and switched it on, and pulled two mugs out of an overhead cupboard, her vest top rising as she did so and revealing more flesh. Adam inwardly groaned. Why on earth was he fascinated watching her do the most mundane things?
“Tea or coffee?” she asked.
“Don’t mind.” He shrugged. She pulled the jar of coffee forward, and put a teaspoon full into each of the mugs.
“Sorry, it’s instant. Probably not what you’re used to.”
“I can drink instant.”
“Sugar?”
“No thanks. Sweet enough as I am.” He grinned, but she frowned at him.
He’d have to lay on some charm at this rate.
They sat on opposite sofas, Sophie curling a leg up underneath herself. Although the flat was warm with the afternoon heat with only a light breeze coming through the open windows, she hugged her coffee as if cold.
Did he do this to her? Put her on edge? She’d become snappish and automatically defensive. All that weekend they were fine together. Now home, they couldn’t act properly with one another.
“So, what’s this favour?” She raised her eyebrows.
Adam placed his mug on the coffee table in front of him. He winced. “I kind of told my mother I have a girlfriend.”
“No, Adam.” Sophie jumped up, almost spilling her coffee, so she put it down, too. “No way.”
“Please, Sophie, she wants to meet my girlfriend tomorrow for dinner.”
“Get Lauren to do it. Didn’t you go out with her last night?”
“I can’t ask Lauren - she’s a client! And no, I didn’t go out with her, actually.”
“What possessed you to tell your mother you have a girlfriend?” Sophie paced the lounge floor.
“She was hassling me about stuff, and I blurted out I was seeing you – to make her happy. I can trust you, Sophie.”
Sophie threw her arms up. “I can’t do this pretending any more.”
“Come on, you owe me, remember?”
“So there were strings attached,” she said, her eyes narrowing.
“No, but as I did you a favour, I thought you’d oblige and return it – if I asked!”
“But it’s your mother!”
“I’m not asking you to pretend for a whole damn weekend – just one afternoon,” he said, his voice rising, his fists clenched. She’d scowled as he’d mentioned the weekend. Damn, he wasn’t doing very well at sweet-talking her. “Please, Sophie. Don’t make me beg.”
Try the puppy dog approach.
They stood in silence, Sophie glaring at him, Adam trying his hardest to look desperate. In some ways, he was desperate. No one would pull this off better than Sophie. They’d had a weekend practising and they’d fooled all of Sophie’s friends and family. There was a closeness his mother wouldn’t see through, and then she’d give him some space to work things out.
His mother was probably planning a dinner this very minute, out shopping for it. He couldn’t break her heart, letting her know he’d lied to her. He could bring Sophie over, share one afternoon, then he could tell his mother it hadn’t worked out.
He liked Sophie – a lot. All he could think about was seducing her, but this time definitely getting her into his bed. It was only the thought that she deserved a better guy that stopped him. However, thinking of Sophie with another man didn’t sit well with him either. Of all the women he’d dated, none of them had complicated his thoughts as much as Sophie. But he was the ‘not the settling down’ type. It wouldn’t be fair. Sophie seemed the sort of girl who would fall – shit, look at her ex and what he did to her – and Adam didn’t want to hurt her, didn’t want to be anything like that prick. He’d rather have her as a friend for life than share a brief intimacy before wrecking it all.
He sighed. “Sophie, I just need her to … to think I’m coming around to her ideas. Please help me.”
“What would I have to do?” she asked, then quickly added, “Not that I’ve agreed or anything!”
“Just be yourself.” He stepped closer, taking her hand, pulling gently, teasing her to step forward. He kept his eyes firmly on hers. “So will you do it?”
She went to take her hand away, but he wouldn’t let her; pulled her closer. He could lean in and kiss her. “Please, Sophie?”
She frowned. “I don’t know.”
“It won’t be like the weekend. We’re hardly going to need to be on full display.” He wouldn’t get to kiss her again, he regretted. “It’s my mum. Dinner and holding hands at the most.”
Sophie groaned. “Okay. Okay, I’ll do it. Just this once.”
He grinned, grabbing her face with both his hands, planting a kiss on her lips. “Thank you.”
She stood eyes wide, startled by the action, quickly recovering. “What time do I need to be ready?”
“I’ll pick you up at eleven forty-five.”
“What?” she said, exasperated. “You said dinner!”
He winced. “I meant Sunday roast. Mum will do it for about two-thirty probably. She wants us over early so she can get to know you.” He finished his coffee, which was lukewarm, but drank it anyway, and started for the front door. She’d agreed. Best to get out while the going was good, before she changed her mind.
“What am I supposed to wear?”
“You’ll think of something, and whatever it is, you’ll look great. You always do.” And with that he gave her an appreciative glance towards the summer attire she was wearing. He wanted to ask what she was doing tonight; they could go for dinner. But then he thought better of it. He couldn’t get in too deep with Sophie. He just couldn’t. “See you tomorrow morning.”
Chapter Twenty One
Sophie stared into the full-length mirror in her bedroom, fretting. Would she do? If Adam really was her boyfriend, she’d be keen to impress, but would it make it easier on Adam if his mother wasn’t impressed with her?
What if Sophie liked his mother? Or didn’t like her?
What if Adam’s mother liked Sophie? Or disliked her?
That would truly be a nail in the coffin where Adam was concerned. Not that he’d date a girl only for his mother’s approval; it sounded like Adam’s mother didn’t like the types of women he dated.
She blew her hair out of her face. Another hot July day was forming outside, so she’d chosen a floral summer dress; she’d even opted for sensibly heeled sandals. But she wasn’t plain either – she wouldn’t become the dowdy engineer again, even in the office – she would be herself. Because, at the end of the day, she was done with lying. His mother would see her full personality; the only lie today would be the part about her being Adam’s girlfriend, heart wrenching as it was, because she would love for it to be true. And he knew it, too. That’s how he’d wrapped her around his finger. His seductive blue eyes looking deep into hers, he’d turned on his gorgeous smile and she'd found it impossible to say no.
You do owe him, too.
He had one day. This one favour. Then it would be all over. She had to travel to Manchester with him on Monday, but that was business – she’d have a separate hotel room.
She glanced at the clock by her bed. Eleven forty-three. He’d be here any minute.
***
“Here we are,” A
dam said, pulling into his mother’s block-paved driveway.
“Oh, why did I agree to this?”
He grasped her hand, feeling its warmth, and they walked up to the front door. Adam didn’t need to knock, as the door flew open, and his mother beamed at the both of them.
“Sophie, this is my mother, Pamela,” he said.
“Pam! Everyone calls me Pam.” His mother waved them in. “Lovely to meet you, Sophie. Come in.”
As Adam walked Sophie through to the lounge, he could see his mother sizing her up.
“You’re not as tall as I imagined,” Pam said. “Or blonde. I was expecting you to be blonde.”
Sophie chuckled, squeezing Adam’s hand tighter. “I have my blonde moments,” she said. “You know, like walking into a room and completely forgetting why I walked in there.”
“Oh, yes, all the time. But then, I am blonde,” Pam said, laughing, gesturing to her stylishly bobbed hair. “Although, not so natural nowadays.” She checked her hair as she passed a mirror. “Right, well, I’ve decided against the idea of a roast dinner. Rather hot today, don’t you think? Thought we’d have a salad and make use of the garden.”
“Sounds fine, mum.”
“So, would you both like tea or coffee, or something cold?”
“Coffee, please,” Sophie said.
“I’ll have the same, please, Mum.”
Okay, his mother seemed to approve but they’d only been in the house five minutes. His mother left them alone, and he smiled at Sophie, and rubbed her hand. She gave a nervous, unsure expression. “You’re doing great.”
“I’m not sure what’s going to be worse, if she likes me, or hates me.”
Adam heard his mother coming back into the room, so quickly kissed Sophie’s hand, lacing his fingers tighter through hers.
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