His eyes turned serious. “Never downplay what you do. Your work is incredible. I’m as proud of you as you are of me. And…” He leaned in closer, with his eyes gazing at her. “You still didn’t answer my question.”
“Sure.” Did I say that?
Cole’s eyes twinkled with clear satisfaction. “Great.”
She pointed at him. “But it’s not a date. We’re two friends going together.”
Cole raised his hands in a surrendered gesture. A smile tugged at his lips. “Not a date. Two friends hanging out.”
She eyed him but her smile gave her away. “Okay. I’ll go with that, but when they bring the cake out, I get first dibs after the bride and groom.”
“You have such a sweet tooth.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It is what it is.”
Cole rubbed the back of his head. “I uh…” He blew out his cheeks. His forehead furrowed. “I don’t know how to ask this. It probably doesn’t matter, anyway.”
She tilted her head toward him. “Something wrong?”
“It’s um… Seth mentioned about asking you, and I wondered…”
“If there’s anything between us?” “We’ve been hanging out lately.”
“Seemed close when he hugged you at the movies. I’m sorry. I know you can take care of yourself. I like… being there for you.” His eyes glowed with affection.
“I know.” Her fingers ached with the need to touch his face, but she held them in place in her lap.
“Anyway. The wedding starts at two on Saturday. I’ll be arriving an hour early to capture scenery shots along with the incoming guests.”
“That’s fine.”
“Pick you up at twelve thirty?”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to meet you there?”
He rubbed his palms together. “It would, but I would rather have you with me. It’ll be like old times. Us hanging out.”
“Okay. Twelve thirty is perfect.” Leah, what are you doing?
****
“I don’t believe you when you say you’re eating,” Cole’s mother said.
He kissed the top of her head. “I am and if you tell me what’s on the menu tonight, I’ll eat that too.”
She clasped his hand and led him to the kitchen. “Your father and I already ate. Seth is running late, but you’ll see him later, anyway.” She clapped her hands. “I get my baby boy all to myself.”
“Not a baby anymore.”
She pointed to him. “To me, you always will be. Now what do you want on your plate?”
“Mom, I can make my plate.”
She dismissed his response with a wave. “Nope, as long as I’m here, I’m taking care of you. That is until someone else takes my place.”
“Take your place?”
She served his plate with green beans and salmon. “All mothers know that with their sons. Until you take a wife, I’ll be the only woman in your life.” Then her eyes gleamed. “I don’t mind passing the torch to another woman, as long as she loves you for you.”