Date Next Door

“That’s what I was going to ask you. I’ve tried calling you several times during the past couple of evenings and you never answered.”

“You didn’t leave a message.”

“You know how I hate those machines.”

He shook his head in exasperation. “Was there anything in particular you needed?”

“I wanted to ask about Nicole. How is she?”

“She’s doing great. Impatient to get back to work.”

Elaine made a tsking sound. “I can’t imagine why. Did you hear about that police officer who was shot in Los Angeles yesterday? I read about it in the newspaper this morning.”

Joel felt a muscle twitch in his jaw, but he kept his tone light. “Cabot is hardly Los Angeles, Mom. Nic’s safe on the job here.”

“She will never be safe as long as she wears a gun and apprehends lawbreakers. Anyone who becomes emotionally involved with her is going to have to learn to live with that somehow.”

She couldn’t have been more obvious if she’d slapped him upside the head. In response he said simply, “I’ll tell her you asked about her. I’m sure she’ll be pleased.”

Sensing that he was preparing to disconnect, Elaine spoke more quickly. “Did Heidi call you?”

“No. Was she supposed to?”

“She said she might call to ask about Nic. And I think she wants to tell you about a young woman she’d like for you to meet. From what Heidi has said, she sounds ideal for you.”

“Mother—”

“I’m not matchmaking, Joel. Heidi is.”

Her logic failed to appease him. “I’m not interested in being the object of anyone’s matchmaking. Especially Heidi’s.”

“She just wants you to be happy, Joel. She loves you.”

“Tell her I love her, too. And I’m perfectly happy.”

“But—”

“Mom, I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’ve got appointments this morning and I don’t want to be late.”

“Oh. Well, I guess we can talk later….”

“You bet,” he said cheerfully, making a mental promise to be very busy for the foreseeable future. And then, because that made him feel guilty, he added, “Love you.”

“I love you, too.”

That was all he allowed her to say. He hung up quickly and reached for his car keys.

He felt a bit cowardly about practically hanging up on his well-intentioned mother. He had deliberately avoided telling her that he and Nic had become more than friends. And he could tell himself all he wanted that it was only because the relationship was too new and that he wasn’t ready to share it with the rest of the world yet, but he knew that wasn’t the real explanation.

The truth was, he knew his mother wouldn’t approve. Cowardly or not, he just didn’t want to deal with that now.

He looked at the photograph on his dresser. And for once he had absolutely nothing to say.

“If you want me to do this, you’re going to have to lie still.”

“Well, hurry up. Are you always this slow?”

“I’m not exactly working under optimal conditions. If you’d have come to my office…”