What Mother Never Told Me

What Mother Never Told Me by Donna Hill Read Free Book Online

Book: What Mother Never Told Me by Donna Hill Read Free Book Online
Authors: Donna Hill
city?” Celeste asked, city being the euphemism for Manhattan.
    “Yes and no.”
    Brows rose in query.
    “I’m sort of staying with Nick…temporarily until I can find a place.”
    “Oh, I see.”
    But Parris knew that she didn’t see. No one would. They would all assume that something was going on. That at night they slipped into each other’s bed, shared hot, wet kisses in a tangle of arms and legs, hers spread to give him room. And they’d cry out each other’s names in a language that only they could understand. That’s what everyone would think. And she would look only at the ground when she came out in themorning barely saying hello to the neighbors who sat in judgment about things they didn’t know.
    “Roommates?”
    Parris’s neck burned. The heat rose to her cheeks. “Yes, roommates.” She should go find Nick.
    “I got the impression it was more than that.”
    “Why!” Her voice crested in agitation. “Is it so hard to believe that a man and woman can share a space and not be involved?”
    “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything. Sometimes I talk before I think. Bad habit.” She drew in a breath and released her apology. “It’s just that the way you are with each other.” With a short huff she adjusted her bag again as if it had gained weight.
    The words were delivered as a statement of fact. An undeniable truth, direct and sincere, leaving Parris no choice but to accept it. In doing so she allowed a seed of trust to take root.
    “Why do you say that?”
    Celeste glanced up. She looked Parris directly in the eyes, so intensely that Parris took an involuntary step back. “The way you move in unison, but still apart. You’re together and still give each other space. Symbiotic.” The corner of her thin mouth jerked in time to the shrug of her shoulder. “A vibe, that’s all.” She began foraging around in her purse again.
    “What are you looking for?” she asked, amusement in each distinct word.
    Celeste flushed. “Truthfully? Nothing really. I always start digging in my bag when I’m nervous and blurt out stupid crap that’s none of my business.”
    The guileless confession reached down inside Parris and wiggled around between her ribs until she broke out in bottomless laughter. The sound was so sudden and alive that it leaped into Celeste’s opened mouth of surprise.
    Their laughter rippled and danced the two-step around the overturned chairs and tables, doubling them over from the simple pleasure of it.
    “What’s so funny?” Nick looked from one face to the other—both were almost identical in joy.
    Their laughter simmered to bursts of bubbles as they sniffed and wiped damp eyes.
    “I don’t know,” they said in unison, looked at each other and took up the chorus again.
    Nick shook his head. “Some kind of woman thing,” he muttered.
    “Ooooh, whew.” Parris dabbed at her damp eyes.
    “I haven’t had a good one like that in ages.” Celeste sniffed. “Humph.” She drew in a breath to steady herself then turned her amused gaze on Nick. “What do you think?”
    He took a step over to Parris, who was slowly pulling herself together, and looked down at her a moment before sliding his arm possessively around her waist. She gazed up at him, her brows knitted in question. Nick focused on Celeste.
    “We’ll take it.”
    It took every ounce of self-discipline and years of “coming out” classes and daily admonishments from her mother on proper decorum to keep Celeste from leaping right up in Nick’s arms.
    “You’re sure?” she asked instead of something appropriate to the joy of her first sale.
    “Yes, very sure.”
    Parris’s subtle “I told you so” smile settled the raging butterflies and confirmed that his answer was real and not imagined.
    “I’ll get the papers drawn up and give you a call whenthey’re ready.” She stuck out her hand. “Congratulations.” She pumped his hand. “It shouldn’t take more than a

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