Best She Ever Had (9781617733963) Read Online Free Page A

sweet and so damn gullible, it’s almost charming!”
    â€œI am not gullible.” Clarissa shoved her mother’s hand away and crossed her arms over her chest. “I may be young, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about relationships or love.”
    Cynthia paused. She closed the open cabinet door and narrowed her eyes at her daughter. “And just how much do you know?”
    â€œOh, Ma, please!” Clarissa turned away.
    â€œDon’t ‘Ma, please!’ me. Look at me.” Cynthia gently but firmly turned her daughter around to face her. She examined her daughter’s features, trying to see if any of Clarissa’s secrets would be revealed on her delicate face. “Just how much practice have you had with ‘relationships and love’ on that little campus of yours?”
    Clarissa no longer met her mother’s eyes. The young woman looked over Cynthia’s shoulder and stared at the freshly cut lawn outside the kitchen’s bay window. “I’ve gone on a few dates.”
    â€œA few dates?”
    â€œYes, just a few dates.” Clarissa hesitated. “And maybe I let one or two guys kiss me . . . on the cheek,” she quickly clarified, “but that’s all. Really, I swear!”
    Cynthia continued to gaze at her daughter suspiciously. She didn’t believe for one second that Clarissa’s romantic experiences consisted of only a few dates and chaste kisses on the cheek.
    I remember what it was like to be nineteen, she thought.
    The memory of Korey Walker, his Chevy sedan, and his teasing licks and kisses came rushing back again, but Cynthia quickly shoved it aside. Damn Korey and that warm mouth of his! He used to leave her begging him never to stop kissing her and touching her! She didn’t want to think about that right now!
    Cynthia focused again on her daughter. She wouldn’t force Clarissa to divulge more details about her budding romantic life, but Cynthia resolved she would have to keep a closer eye on Clarissa from now on. She didn’t want Clarissa to get sidetracked by a boy who wasn’t worthy of her.
    â€œJust like your mama didn’t want you sidetracked by Korey?” a voice in Cynthia’s head mocked.
    â€œLet’s change the subject,” Cynthia said, clearing her throat. She waved her hand dismissively. “Enough of this romance and love talk. I hear enough of that drivel from my sisters. I want to talk about tonight’s dinner.” She smiled, opened the fridge, and pulled out a plastic container of lean ground beef. “Since you’re home, I’m making your favorite, honey. Meat loaf with the smoothest mashed potatoes you’ve ever—”
    â€œSorry, Ma. I’d love to stay for dinner, but I already have plans.”
    Cynthia’s smile disappeared. She looked crestfallen. “How can you have dinner plans? You just got home!”
    â€œI told Kayla that I’d meet her at the mall.” Clarissa grabbed her magazine off the kitchen island. “We’re supposed to go to a movie and get dinner afterward.”
    â€œBut I hardly ever get to see you!” Cynthia cried. She knew she was whining, but she couldn’t help herself. “You’re either away at school or . . . or out with your friends or—”
    â€œWe’ll hang out. I swear.” Clarissa leaned forward and kissed her mother’s rouged cheek. “We just can’t do it tonight. Okay?”
    â€œAll right. I guess I’ll . . . I’ll take a rain check then.”
    â€œThanks, Ma.”
    Cynthia watched as Clarissa started to back out of the kitchen.
    â€œLook, I’m supposed to meet Kayla in an hour, so I should probably head upstairs and start getting ready.”
    â€œOkay, you guys have fun. Tell Kayla I said hi,” Cynthia called as her daughter disappeared through the kitchen entryway. “And be careful!”
    â€œYes,