Meeting The Unpredictable by Riann C. Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

consistently bothering me, I would have thought they were crazy, but somehow, Lennie being here is almost helping. She pushes my limits, but she can read me like a book and knows when to pull back. Chad is the only other person who can come close to reading me the way Lennie appears to, and I’m still wondering how she wormed her way into my life.
    ***
    MY PHONE RINGS. THE SECOND I see my mom’s name on the screen my stomach turns. “Hello, Mother.”
    “Tyler, sweetheart.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “I’m calling to remind you about the birthday party. We’re having it here at the house.” As if I could forget.
    “I’ll be there. Like always.” I can’t keep the tone out of my voice.
    “Of course you’ll be there. You’re his uncle.”
    “Then why did you call?” I snap, instantly regretting my attitude.
    “You’re my baby. I’ve missed hearing your voice.”
    Whether she means to or not, she instantly makes me feel guilty. “I’ve missed you, too. It’s been awhile.”
    “Yes, it has. A mother shouldn’t go weeks without seeing her child when he lives less than twenty minutes away.” That goes both ways, but I decide not to point that out.
    “I ran into Joyce the other day. She showed me a picture of her daughter, and I think you should meet her. She’s breathtaking.”
    I force myself not to groan out loud. “I’m sure she is, but I don’t need you setting me up on dates.”
    “You need someone to set you up. When was the last time you went out with a woman?”
    Over the years, I’ve lied about how many women I’ve gone out with. Lying to my mother seemed easier than telling her the truth and risking her doing exactly what she’s trying to do now.
    “I really need to get back to work,” I say instead of acknowledging her last comment.
    “Work. That’s all you ever do, Tyler. You’re older now. Your business is thriving. It’s time to work on your social life.” My mother has no clue how successful my business really is. Otherwise, she would have started in on me long before now.
    I hear a sharp knock on my door seconds before Lennie walks in.
    “Look, I’ve got to go.”
    “I know what you’re doing, but I’ll let you go anyway. See you in a few days, sweetie.”
    “Okay,” I answer seconds before hitting end on my phone.
    “Alert the media. He’s not on his computer during business hours.” Lennie made air quotations when she said business hours.
    “Whatever.” I try my best to fake annoyance at her once again barging into my life, but if I’m being honest, I was more than ready to get off the phone with my mother.
    “What do you want for lunch today?” I turn away in order to hide my smile.
    “Who says I want to eat lunch with you?”
    “Fine, I’ll search around your cabinets for something to make.”
    My eyes widen as the memory of how we met comes flooding back. “Wait, I don’t think that’s a very good idea. I’ve seen your attempt at cooking.”
    When I walk into the kitchen, my brain momentarily stops. Lennie is bent over, looking into the fridge. Her shirt has moved up her back, exposing yet another tattoo. My eyes focus on the words.
    Acceptance is a gift not everyone will give.
    “Seriously, you don’t even have lunchmeat?” Lennie turns around and starts opening up my cabinets. “Okay, peanut butter and jelly it is.”
    She’s still talking, but my mind is trying to process the tattoo I just saw. I’ve always been accepted, but even as I think that, I know it’s not true. At least it hasn’t been for years. The phone call from my mother is proof of that. She can’t seem to accept that my entire life changed six years ago. I’m no longer the man I once was. I don’t want or need her to set me up with stuffy women she approves of.
    “Seriously, you don’t have jelly?” I snap out of my thoughts and glance at Lennie. She has bread out on the counter and is in the process of making two sandwiches.
    “No, I don’t put jelly on