HUNDRED AND THREE

After dropping Veil off, the driver took Anders to his home to get ready for the dinner. While in the bathroom, he heard his phone ring but ignored it, making a mental note to attend to it the moment he got out.

Ten minutes later, with a towel draped across his waist, revealing the path to his torso, Anders traced wet footprints on the floor as he sauntered to the side of his bed, unplugging his phone from where he had left it to charge.

It was his mother.

Returning to his closet, Anders called her back and placed the phone on speaker.

“Hey baby,” her warm voice filled the room and immediately put Anders’ nerves at rest. She had had that effect on him since he was a child. Anders had never been close to his father because of the expectations his old man kept tossing his way.

But his mother had a different disposition entirely.

“Hey, Mom!” Anders smiled. “Missing me already?”

“You wish. I was just calling to ensure you haven’t forgotten about the dinner tonight. I know you say you don’