Jessica's Fate

Chapter 77

On the 31st, I was having a bit of an argument with Mom. She didn't think that I should have Pete over for New Year's Eve without her meeting him first.

In spite of all the talk over the last two years, suddenly at 19, I'm not trustworthy with a new guy. I tried to tell her that this was Kota's set up. That if Pete tried anything out of line, Kota would hand his ass to him on a platter. Let alone what Raven would do to him. It was practically going to be innocence on a platter.

Better than being home alone to ring in another year.

Better than being out on the town somewhere without telling her.

Pizza. Snacks. A movie or two and watching the ball drop at midnight.

If I got a kiss at midnight, which after 2 days of talking on the phone for almost 30 hours of the time since our coffee date, AND after the kiss that I'd laid on his lips before our date ended... would be impossible to say IF I got a kiss at midnight. Anyway. My kissing habits weren't anything to discuss, that would be really unladylike of me.

"Fine." I grumbled, glaring at her as I pulled out my phone to text him. ~Hey, I know we said a later time but my Mom's shift starts at 4 and she has to leave at 3. Would you mind coming over for lunch today so she can meet you?~ I read her the text before I sent it, earning a smile of motherly approval. I rolled my eyes at her and sent the text before starting to mix up the cupcake batter for the dessert we would have tonight.

"Thank you, baby girl." She said, kissing my forehead before she went to start some laundry.

I finished up with the batter and dished it out into the cupcake liners while I waited on his response. I'd just slid the cupcakes into the oven when the text reply came in.

~Sure. I finished everything I needed to do today. Do I need to bring anything else but my intent to order pizza later?~

I smiled and thumbed the keyboard open on my screen. ~No, but a million thank yous. Tonight would have been a no go if you weren't able to come over. 1 PM work?~

His response was immediate. ~See you at 1.~ We'd gone over address and directions late last night so I was certain he'd be here on time.

"He's going to be here at one." I hollered to Mom in the laundry room. "He's 19, you remember how that age group eats. What are you making him for lunch?" I raised an eyebrow at her when she came to stand in the kitchen doorway.

"Crap. I forgot about that part while I was being motherly." She teased before going to the pantry and then the fridge to figure out what she could make. Since everyone else was at camp this week, we hadn't done much in the way of grocery shopping. "Looks like we've got what we need to have tacos. There would be enough things left over that you could make nachos later." She glanced at me.

"Works. Or at least nachos tomorrow." I said, bending to check my cupcakes. "You're okay with him staying over, right? I mean, I hate the thought of sending him out on the road after midnight."

"That's fine. I just wanted to meet him first. He can sleep in the family room. And don't forget that Ben's home tonight, he's closing the diner at two so if you need anything he'd be able to help."

"Okay." I said before I pulled out the ingredients I needed to make my vanilla buttercream. I had some left over chocolate buttercream so I was going to swirl them on the tops of the cupcakes. We both settled in to what we were doing and before too long, both cupcakes and everything for tacos was ready to go.

I had just enough time to run upstairs and change from my pj's to a pair of yoga pants and a tank top that I covered with a sweatshirt. My hair was up again in a messy bun and I was very comfortable in my slipper socks. I glanced out the window and saw him pull into the driveway at 12:55 PM. "He's here, Mom." I said as I came down the stairs in a rush and barely remained upright at the bottom of the stairs in the kitchen.