Page 3 of Imperfect Match (Imperfect Match 1)
Instead of bailing him out of what will surely be a painful conversation with my mother, I lean back in my chair with a shit-eating grin. You’re on your own, buddy.
“Then why is the idea of dating her so terrible?” Mom presses.
“It’s not.” Reid loosens his tie.
“So you just want to monopolize her time but not allow her to find love?”
He opens his mouth, shaking his head but my mother is already on to her next question.
“You don’t think she’s worthy of finding love?”
“I didn’t—”
“And what about the guys she does date, do you think it’s okay to scare them off by walking around her apartment as though you live there?”
I nod. “Right, so unfair.”
Reid glares at me with open hostility. Which makes me grin wider.
My mother folds her arms over her chest. “If you’re not willing to date her, then you should at least allow her the opportunity to find someone else.”
Reid struggles briefly for a reply, and then smiles like he’s got it all figured out. “I know, Mrs. Hayes, but it’s hard because Willow chases away the girls I bring home too.”
Oh, that bastard.
He’s so full of shit. First, he thinks what my mother does is total bullshit. Second, he doesn’t even date; he just sleeps with random bar girls and calls it dating. All he’s doing is deflecting now, and when my mother turns to look at me, I can see it worked.
Damn it.
“Willow!”
He smiles triumphantly at me, and now it’s my turn to glare. “I don’t do that, Mom. I’ve tried to find him a nice girl, but he rejects them all.”
My mother’s gaze shifts back to him and I stick my tongue out at him, like the mature adult I am.
“It’s just not true, Mrs. Hayes,” Reid protests. “I have tried to find someone, but Wills is the reason all the girls say they can’t love me. And I can’t choose some stranger over my best friend. You understand, don’t you?”
My mouth falls open because he just played her like a fiddle. My mother will never be able to resist his little wounded boy sob story. There’s nothing she likes more than someone she can fix.
Drat.
“Oh, honey, I didn’t know.” She gets to her feet and pulls him into her arms.
Reid looks over her shoulder at me like the cat that ate the canary. “I’ve really struggled with this. You know, emotionally. I’m very sensitive that way.”
For the love of God.
I flip him off as he tries to stifle his laughter. It almost looks like he’s shaking with tears.
“Mom! You can’t believe him, he’s full of shit!”
Her arms drop and the disappointment in her eyes towards me only fuels my fire. “Willow Hayes, this man just showed a true bout of heartsickness over his desire to find love, and you chastise him?”
“You seriously don’t believe that, do you?”
Reid covers his face with his hands.
“Oh, Reid.” My mother says his name with a gasp. “I’m so sorry, honey.”
