I immediately called Derek even though he was working because I didn’t know what else to do.
He answered right away. “Hey, baby.” He was probably at his desk in the lab, going over the final schematics of the rocket even though he needed to move on to his next project.
“Your mom just called me…wants to get coffee.”
He was quiet for a long time. “Is that it, or…?”
“Do you know why?”
“Do I know why what?”
“Why she wants to talk to me.”
He was quiet again. “Based on my reaction, I think you already know. I’m not sure what the problem is.”
“I guess I’m just nervous.”
“I thought the dinner went well.”
“It did. I just…I don’t know.”
Silence stretched across the line like he didn’t know what to say. “Look, my parents mean the world to me, but if they didn’t like you, it wouldn’t change anything. Because I know who you really are, and whatever reason they would have to dislike you would be invalid. But they do like you, so there’s no reason to be uneasy around her. My parents are the kindest people on the planet. I like it when you’re confident and strong. That’s what attracted me to you in the first place. So, don’t lose that for anyone—even my mother.”
I sighed into the phone. “Okay.”
“I have to go. I’ll see you later.” He hung up.
I put the phone back in my pocket and told myself to buck up…and be myself.When I walked in the door, she rose from her chair to greet me with a warm smile and an affectionate hug, rubbing my back with the same motherly touch my own mother gave me. Her energy was infectious, like she was a genuinely happy person who filled everyone else with happiness. “It’s so nice to see you. Ooh, I love your boots.”
“Thanks,” I said as I pulled away.
“It’s happy hour, so I got you one of their pumpkin drinks.” She took a seat and crossed her legs, sitting upright with perfect posture, like she was a princess.
I sat across from her. “Oh, that’s thoughtful. Thank you.” I tried to drink my coffee black to cut out all the calories and sugar, but I definitely preferred it this way, all sweet and delicious. I took a drink and immediately appreciated the taste. “Wow, that’s good.”
“I know.” She took a drink of hers too. “All we have at home is almond milk and crap like that, so when I go out without Deacon, I get the worst thing I possibly can.”
“That sounds like a good utilization of your time.”
She chuckled.
“Why is he like that?”
She shrugged. “I think it’s because he takes care of sick people all day and he believes diet is directly responsible for your health, so he’s just really particular. When we first got together, it drove me up the wall, but now I’m just used to it. And honestly, I’ve never gained weight, my skin looks good, so I guess I have him to thank for that.”
“Yeah, you’re both hot.”
She grinned at my comment.
“I just mean you look good…” I didn’t want her to think I had the hots for her husband. That would be weird. But Derek and his father looked like brothers, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find Deacon attractive…and would love to have a husband who aged like that.
She chuckled. “Thank you.”
“So, what’s new with you?”
“Nothing, really. I work all day and go home to Deacon. Pretty boring. My kids are all out of the house living their lives, and I try not to be one of those helicopter moms who asks for their attention all the time.”
“Yeah…” I wasn’t sure how I would be when Lizzie moved out of the house. Would I be excited to have my own space since I’ve never lived alone before? Or would I miss her all the time and blow up her phone?
“How are things with you and Lizzie?”
A part of me was afraid his parents would think I was an immoral slut who couldn’t keep her legs closed when I was young, but they both seemed nonjudgmental about it. “We’re really close, at least for now. I still have to act like her mother, but sometimes I feel like we’re friends. And when I get too comfortable in that role, I have to pull back and remind myself that I’m her mother…and that’s my job.”
She nodded in understanding. “I had the same problem with Daisy. All of my kids, really. You always love your kids, but you don’t always like them. And I happen to like all my kids. They’re great and interesting people, so it’s easy to let that barrier fall. But I had to keep reminding myself until they were officially adults and out of the house. Deacon and Derek are both busy with their careers, so they don’t have a lot of time, but they’re really close, more like friends than father and son.”