She nodded. “That’s fine.” She shot Jake a menacing look. “But so help me God, if you hurt her—”
“Mom!”
“Okay, okay,” she said, waving us off. “Go have fun.”
“Thanks.” I grabbed Jake’s hand and pulled him out of the kitchen.
As I walked out the door, I heard my mom yell from the kitchen. “Where the hell are the cookies?”
I grinned and shut the door. Then, we hopped into Jake’s car. The second we were inside, his lips were on me.
Chapter 25
Jake
When I pulled away from Mercedes, she melted into the passenger seat. “I’m sorry,” I said.
“What are you apologizing for?” she asked.
“I shouldn’t have shown up like this.” I started the car. “It’s not right.”
“No, I’m glad you did. My phone has been weird. I can call out, but I can’t receive calls. I wasn’t sure if…”
I pulled out of the neighborhood street and onto the main road. “If what?”
“It’s nothing,” she said. “I’m glad you came over.”
“Good. Where do you want to go eat?”
“You really want to go out?” she asked.
“Of course, Mercedes.”
I turned onto the freeway ramp. The sun was setting behind the skyscrapers downtown. Mercedes was staring out the window. “Wherever you want to go,” she said.
“I know where.” I sped through the right lane and took the next exit. “Don’t you want to know where we’re going?”
“Where?” she asked.
“I’m not telling you,” I said, teasingly.
She didn’t react. She just looked back out the window. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ve been in depression mode. Too much TV. I hope I’m not a bore tonight.”
“You’re never a bore.” I rested my hand on hers.
The street we turned onto was basic, with a grocery store and a shopping center across the street. I pulled around in back of the shopping center and parked. “What’s wrong, Mercedes?”
“Well, you saw. My home life isn’t easy. Every second I spend there is another second I have to think about my father.”
“He seemed to be in good spirits,” I said. “Maybe you don’t have to worry.”
“How could I not? He might die.” She turned her head toward the window.
“You’ll get him his treatments,” I assured her.
I could tell she was crying, even though her back was to me. I gave her a moment to regain her composure. I knew when she needed comfort, and when she needed space.
“I’m sorry.” When she turned her head back, her face was perfect. I could barely tell she’d been crying. “Let’s go.”