“What? No. Of course not. I’m saying that you have to understand that whatever expectations you have are about you and what you need. Jeremy won’t be able to read your mind. So if it doesn’t go how you imagine, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean your dad doesn’t care about you.”

“If he cared, he would have shown up a long time ago.”

An excellent point. One she wanted to linger on, but knew she had to stay neutral with a slightly positive chaser. In her heart of hearts, she wouldn’t be the least bit sad if Coop and his dad didn’t get along—but if that were to happen, she wanted it to occur organically and not because of anything she’d done.

“I’m sure he regrets his decision. How could he not? But he’s here now, so have a good time, then come join us on the beach.”

Her son met her gaze. “You all right with this, Mom? If you don’t want me to go, I won’t go.”

Ack! “Go,” she said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. “Go and have a good time. I’m happy you’re doing this. I’m a little jealous of your lunch because I think we’re getting hot dogs on the pier and that’s hardly the same as some fancy restaurant in Santa Monica. Maybe you’ll see a movie star.”

“Oh, Mom. It doesn’t work like that.”

“Why not? They have to eat eventually.”

He didn’t smile. “I want you to be okay.”

“I am okay.” She squeezed his hand and smiled. “I’m having a lot of fun already. I got a tattoo today.”

He stared at her, as if he hadn’t heard her. “What did you say?”

“I got a tattoo.” She pointed to her left rear hip. “It was very painful, let me tell you. I nearly told the guy to stop, but then what? I would have had half a tattoo.”

Cooper came to his feet, towering over her. “A tattoo?” he roared loud enough for the entire lobby to turn in their direction. “Are you serious?”

She held in a smile. “What are you so upset about? I’m an adult. I can do what I want.”

“You’re not the tattoo type. You’re a mom.”

She stood and patted his arm. “I’m not just a mom, kid, and I get to have a life if I want to.” She turned and reached for the front button of her pants. “Want to see?”

Coop looked horrified. “Not here. Mom!” He muttered something she couldn’t hear. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“It’s nice that I can still surprise you.”

He groaned. “I’m going up to my room.”

“Chicken.” She made a clucking sound.

“I don’t know you,” he called over his shoulder as he walked away.

She was still chuckling when she let herself into her room. She liked that Coop was shocked about the tattoo, but she wished he was more enthused about the various campuses they would be seeing.