Page 32 of Loyal
“I think it’s sweet.”
“Yeah, in a morbid way,” he says.
“You’re not wrong.” Farrah laughs.
Actually laughs.
For a split second, it makes Loyal freeze, and I watch as a little bit of hope flashes across his face.
The three of us talk back and forth while we eat, not bothering to turn on the TV. Just debating movies and TV shows. It’s nice and honestly the most real conversation I’ve had with my daughter in months.
“The TV version is horrible compared to the book,” Farrah says.
“I’ll take your word for it,” he tells her.
“Mom, do you know what sounds good?” Farrah asks, changing the subject.
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me,” I quip, making her roll her eyes and Loyal chuckle.
“My favorite ice cream,” she says with a smile.
“What’s your favorite ice cream?” Loyal asks.
“It’s like an ice cream sundae that Mom makes. It’s chocolate ice cream with brownie bites, crushed-up Oreos, and gummy bears or worms.”
Loyal winces. “That sounds like a diabetic coma.”
“But a delicious one.” Farrah looks over at me. “Will you make it?”
With the way she’s behaving so far, how can I say no?
“You got it. Do you want some, Loyal?” I ask, lightly touching his arm as I stand.
He looks up at me and smiles. “Why not.”
“Three sundaes coming up.”
As soon as Sami steps out of sight, Farrah’s face changes, and I brace for impact. She turns toward me while thrusting her chest out toward me. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.
Out of all the moves I thought she would pull, this wasn’t one of them. Then again, teenage girls aren’t that bright. They think they are older than they are, but at the end of the day, they aren’t.
“So…” she purrs, making my skin crawl. “I was thinking…do you have any friends?”
I raise a brow. “Why?”
She shrugs her shoulder, making the strap of her tank slip just a little, but I don’t glance.
“I was thinking maybe you could hook me up…unless you rather keep me to yourself.”
I laugh softly under my breath. “Are you serious right now? You need to stop now before you not only embarrass yourself but also hurt your mom.”
For a split second, it looks like I get through to her, but she doesn’t let up.
She leans toward me and tries to touch me, but I move out of her space. “Come on, Loyal, you know you want me. Let’s be honest, I’m more your type than my mom is. You’re just playing the long game until I turn eighteen, but it’s okay. No one has to know.”
“Let me make myself clear, Farrah, I’m not interested in you. Never have been, never will be. The only woman I want in my bed is your mother. Understood?”
Anger flashes through her eyes. “You don’t mean it.”
