Chapter 76

She smiled and gave him a brief hug. “Then give it a chance. See where it goes. Maybe nowhere. But I’d hate for you to think back to Drew ten years from now and wish maybe you’d have tried.”

He took the cookie sheet from her and set it in the oven. “You’re always right, Mama. You know that.”

“Exactly. So why even try to fight me?”

Mark laughed. “God knows. Need help with anything?”

“No, you go on back outside with Drew.”

* * * *

Mark pulled up in front of Drew’s parents’ house. The evening had been great. After his mother’s fabulous lasagna, they’d played Trivial Pursuit. Naturally, his mother had beaten them both

Drew opened the passenger door almost before he’d stopped the car. “Hey, thanks, Mark, I had a great time. It was really fun.”

“Yeah, it was. I think Mama really liked you.”

“She was very cool. And dinner was good, too. See you Wednesday?”

“Well, sure, but—”

Drew was already headed up the walkway to the house.