Impossibly Forever: Two Books in One (Impossibly Duology) Read Online Free PDF Page B

night.”
      
We stopped at the pedestrian crossing, waiting for the walk signal. Vanessa
continued, “Did he invite you in?”
      
“No, I didn’t give him the chance to—”
      
“Are you sure he was faking then?” she asked as the lights changed and we
crossed the street.
      
Exasperated, I said, “He had a cunning grin on his face after I unlocked the
door for him. That gave him away.”
      
Vanessa stopped walking and threw her hands up in the air. “That could mean
anything, Moya.”
      
 “Like what?” I asked, thinking there was no other explanation for Branden
smiling that way after putting on a show. I still wanted to hear her out,
though.
      
We turned on the street that led to my house and Vanessa brought me to a stop.
“Like, I don’t know, maybe he was really feeling sick. And, he probably was
stunned to see you being so nice.” She laughed. “Not everyone is used to that.”
      
I shoved her lightly. “Whatever. Are you having dinner with us tonight?”
      
She cocked her head. “Don’t change the subject. Girl, I don’t want to sound
like a broken record, but I seriously think you should stop treating the male
species like they’re the enemy.”
      
I sighed, wiped beams of sweat from my nose, and considered what she’d just
said. “Okay, so are you saying I should jump on every one every guy who
approaches me?”
      
Vanessa laughed, “No, girl. I’m saying just one, give one a chance. You never
know.”
      
I rubbed my forehead and muttered, “Maybe.”
      
A satisfied smile appeared on her face. For now, Vanessa was willing to accept
at least a ‘maybe.’
      
“Anyway, are you having dinner with us later?” I asked again.
      
She nodded. “Sure. See you later.” Vanessa waved as she turned the corner and
headed for her house.
      
I could smell Momma’s blueberry pancakes from the sidewalk as I hurried up the
walkway to our brick home. I took my time opening the front door, tiptoeing
across the foyer into the kitchen to sneak up on her. She loved a good laugh,
and I enjoyed messing with her.
      
Drawing closer to her back as she stood at the stove, I was convinced I had
her. But then she chuckled as I approached. “I can hear you breathing, Moya.”
      
I slouched in disappointment. I’d never been able to really catch her
off-guard.
      
Hugging her from behind, I gave Momma a peck on the cheek. “Mmm…smells good.”
      
“Indeed. Now get your sweaty behind off me.”
      
Momma filled two plates with scrambled eggs and I helped by bringing over the
blueberry pancakes and syrup to our little, oval chestnut breakfast table.
      
Settling down, I admired all she’d done. “Oh, Momma, thank you. You didn’t have
to rush to do this before going to work. I could’ve fixed something to eat
later.”
      
She kissed me on the forehead then sat in the chair beside me. “Now you stop. I
only get to see my baby on weekends now so of course I’m gonna feed you good.
Lord knows what you’re eating so far away.”
      
I sniffed. “Jeez, Momma, I’m not that far away. I’m still in Maryland, just not
in Baltimore. Harrington is less than an hour’s drive from Berlin Heights. I
didn’t go too far.”
      
She bit down on her blueberry pancake and rolled her eyes. “You make it sound
like I forced you to go. Remember, you got a good scholarship that covers
everything. Besides, it’s important that you experience life away from home to
get the hang of it. That’s what my parents taught me. I was on my own at
seventeen, two years younger than you are now.”
      
Momma stopped eating. She rested her fingers on her fork, nails tapping an
absent rhythm against the stem. Her dark eyes clouded, only to stare in the
distance as though she were caught in the grips of some memory. “Can’t believe
how strong I was then,” she muttered, her voice was so soft it surprised me.
      
The moment passed by, but it left its mark in the