“It was. Recovery has been gradual. The whole thing—the most acute stages of the illness and the long road back—has forced me to reevaluate and get rid of things that aren’t healthy for me. Falling in love is one of those things.”
“Why?”
“In recent years, I’ve had three serious relationships. I ended up with a broken heart each time. I’m not strong enough for that at the moment. The euphoria, the sadness. The euphoria. The sadness.”
“What happens if you meet the man of your dreams?”
“The odds of that happening are small.”
CeCe whistled and shook her head. “You just met my son Ben, didn’t you? The odds that Ben’s the man of your dreams are high. I raised him. I know him better than anyone. So I can speak with authority when I say that you won’t find a better man anywhere. He comes with a lifetime guarantee.”
“He’s incredible. So much so, I don’t think I’m good enough forhim. He’d never love me the way that I would him, which would plunge me back into the euphoria-sadness.”
“Why aren’t you good enough for him? Is there some fatal flaw with your personality that I should know about?”
“Either I’m shy with people or I spill my guts in the most awkward way, like I’m doing with you now. I’ve yet to find the middle ground.”
CeCe looked unimpressed by her confession. “Are you loyal?”
“Definitely.”
“A Christian?”
“Yes.”
“Are you a zillion dollars in debt or secretly married to someone else?”
“No.”
“Mostly unselfish?”
“I love that you qualified that with ‘mostly.’ Is wholly unselfish too high a bar?”
“Yes. Anyone who claims to be wholly unselfish is both selfish and dishonest.”
“I do believe I am mostly unselfish.”
“Then I think that youaregood enough for my son, and I don’t mind telling you that my opinion on the matter carries more weight than yours. Of course,” she continued in a dangerously soft tone, “if down the line, you prove by your actions that you’re disloyal, a zillion dollars in debt, or wholly selfish, then I’ll retract my verdict that you’re good enough for my son and you’ll become my sworn enemy for the rest of your life.”
“Good to know.”
“Hmmph.” The older woman set about opening packages of napkins that matched the pale pink, white, and gold color scheme of the flower arrangements, table linens, and professionally made three-tier cake.
Caroline and Judson’s Colonial Revival home had been built in the 1800s, Akira had found out upon arrival, and it oozed charm and great taste. Swags of tiny hearts brightened the fireplace mantel, chandeliers, and mirrors. A tent had been erected in the backyardfor the band and dancing. Even now, a team of family members was hanging a garland of opaque balloons down the center line of the tent’s roof. The formality of it all made her glad she’d chosen to wear her gray dress with the beading around the V-neckline.
“Are you aware of the recent events in Ben’s love life?” CeCe asked.
“No, I’m clueless.” She sealed the Tupperware container that had held the cookies. “I’ve always known of him because of the Miracle Five, but I’m several years younger. We don’t have many mutual friends here in town.”
“For the last two-and-a-half years, Ben hasn’t been dating anyone because he’s fancied himself in love with a fellow teacher at the high school named Leah.”
Disappointment sank through Akira, proving that she’d already gotten at least slightly wrapped up in Ben. Which was worrying. “Oh?”
“It turned out that Ben wasn’t the right man for Leah. The right man for Leah was Sebastian Grant. Does that name ring a bell?”
“Another of the Miracle Five?”
She nodded. “And Ben’s best friend.” She waved a hand. “I consider Sebastian to be a son of mine and, between you and me, often find myself liking him more than I like some of my biological kids.”
