Because You Need Me (Falling for You, Book Two) Read Online Free PDF Page A

overcompensate and flash brand names like she was a seasoned member of the upper class. Expensive things made her happy, but I believed there were more important things in life than money.
    That final thought made my stomach flip flop. Considering my current predicament, I was a bit of a hypocrite. What about the 20k check that Xander was handing over in a month? I remembered salivating when he dropped that figure like it was nothing. How could I fault my mom for obsessing over money when I was choosing money and security over the risk of falling for him?
    I wasn't ready to answer that question and when I saw the orange sign for Super Burger glittering a few feet away, I took the reprieve. “We're here!”
    I bounded through the door, the smell of meat and bread and garlic and onions beckoning me and making my stomach growl.
    I stopped at the back of the line and realized that I was standing in the line alone. Two giggling teenagers filed in behind me and I craned my neck to look past them and saw my mother standing outside, wringing her hands like this was the hardest thing she'd ever have to do. Just when I was gearing up to personally usher her inside, she took a breath and slowly worked her way to the door. We locked gazes and the sour look on her face deepened. It was her silent way of telling me that she was making a grand sacrifice and expected to be praised in kind.
    I could have made a big deal out of my mother acting like she'd rather chew off her arm than go to a burger joint; point out things like the stools and tables that hadn't been cleared, the name tags, and how we'd smell like fries for hours, but I was never one for rubbing someone's nose in it. I knew this was a victory, however small, and that was enough for me.
    I swiped a paper menu for her benefit. I already knew I wanted the biggest, juiciest burger with everything but the kitchen sink on it. “Wanna take a look?”
    She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head slightly. She looked pale, like she could see an unfortunate end with every moment that ticked by and she remained in this godforsaken restaurant. “This is your party. I'll trust your judgment.”
    I ordered two of my mega burgers and bit back a laugh when she let out a croak, instantly regretting her decision to let me take the wheel. I handed over my debit card and paid for the meal, then slowly guided her to a table closest to the exit, just to put her at ease. “It'll be delicious, trust me.”
    She swiped a handful of napkins and scrubbed down our table and chairs. Despite her extra dose of cleaning, she gingerly lowered herself onto the stool. “If you say so, dear.” She slapped a tentative smile on her face and delicately placed her hands in her lap. I had to admit, there was a charm in my mom with her pearls and heels, perched on a stool in Super Burger. I must have been gawking because her brow arched toward the ceiling.
    “What?”
    “Normal looks good on you, Mom.”
    She dismissed that with a huff. “Penelope, you act as if I think I'm the queen of England. I am perfectly capable of eating burgers, I just prefer them at a-”
    “Expensive?” I offered.
    “ Reputable establishment,” she finished with a narrowed gaze. “And before you give me the rundown of Super Burger's most recent reviews, I'm sure it will be an...interesting experience.” She sniffed and spun her pearl earring a few times before she flashed me a more genuine smile. “Since it's just you and I, I'd love to hear more about Xander.”
    The sound of his name brought on a flurry of butterflies that wouldn't stop flapping. I couldn't hide the joy that lit up my face. “He's amazing, Mom.” He was always on my mind these days, so I didn't even have to try to pull up his handsome face. That knee quaking smirk that reduced me to a stuttering idiot. The eyes that I wanted to just dive into. “He makes me feel special, and it's like he's not even trying. I've never felt so natural with someone so