Friends to Lovers (Heart of Hope 6)

Cy put a plate with cupcakes and cup of tea in front of his mom. “Would you like tea?”

“Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you,” I said. Mostly I wanted something to do with my hands as they were still shaking. “Did Lora leave?”

“She had to get home,” Cy said tersely.

“I’m sorry.”

“Whatever for?” his mother said.

Ah…did I blurt out that she probably didn’t like Cy’s pregnant friend-with-benefits here? I opted not to say anything.

“So tell me about these cupcakes, Petal. What an unusual name. Are your parents British?” Jane said, sipping her tea.

“No. My mom just liked that name and my father always gives my mom what she wants.”

“Oh that’s sweet. Are your parents there to help you in North Dakota?” It felt like twenty-questions, but not in a bad way. She seemed genuinely interested and her questions didn’t have an edge like was fishing for something negative.

I took the tea that Cy handed me. “My parents moved to Florida. It’s warmer there.”

“This time of year, Florida holds an appeal, that’s for sure. Are they happy about the baby?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. I’d finally called and told them. They sounded more concerned than happy, but they weren’t unhappy either.

“So these cupcakes. What flavors are there?” She studied the plate of cupcakes.

I pointed to them. “This is a peanut butter chocolate.” I glanced at Cyrus who was watching me from where he sat next to his mom. “This is a lavender lemon that my assistant created. This one is limoncello, which is Cy’s friend Jude’s favorite.” I’d brought two of each.

“The lavender lemon sounds wonderful.” She picked it up and took a bite. “Oh goodness that’s good. Cy have one.”

He picked up the peanut butter chocolate.

“I didn’t know you were such a cupcake fan, Cy?” his mother said.

His dark eyes watched me. “Yes, I was.”

I knew he was talking about me and not the cupcakes. He’d used past tense, so he wasn’t a fan of me anymore. I suppose I couldn’t blame him.

We chatted a bit more, but then Jane excused herself, saying she was tired. Cy helped her to her room. I sat alone for a moment. I finished my tea and cleared the table, putting the dishes in the dishwasher and covering the cupcakes.

“You don’t have to do that.” His voice made me jump.

“I don’t mind.” I turned and looked at him. “I’m sorry Lora left.” I said again. “Is she…okay with all this? I hope I didn’t ruin things with her.”

His jaw tightened. “Nothing has changed with her.”

Was it possible that my heart could break more? Apparently it was, because knowing that he and Lora’s relationship was going to withstand his having a child with another woman tore my heart yet again.

“I’m glad.” There was an awkward silence. “Well, I’m tired. I think I’ll call it a night, unless there’s something you need?”

He shook his head. “Is there something I can get you to be more comfortable?”

“No. Thank you.” It was hard to believe I’d ever be comfortable around him again. “Good night Cyrus.”

“Good night Petal.”

I only had half the day Sunday to visit with Jane. That morning, Cyrus said he had to run some errands so I hung out with his mother by myself. I won

dered if he was really going to see Lora. Or maybe he just needed to get out of the house and away from me.