I laughed and shrugged. “Well, Michael and I talked about it, which was good, and … I learned I had an orange addiction this weekend, so that’s a … plus?”
“Oranges?” Mom asked, brow raised. “A craving for them?”
“Yeah. Why?”
She blushed and waved it off as nothing. But it was something. I could see it on her face, in her eyes as they traveled to my stomach for a moment. I placed a hand over my stomach to cover my belly and sat up taller.
“So,Eden…” Serena said. She only called my mom by her first name when she wanted to spill something to her, and acted as if she were one of us, back in all the drama. “I got someteafor you.” She smirked at me. “Your daughter isser-i-ousabout a certain Mr. Bryne.”
Mom widened her eyes. “I knew it!” She leaned forward, her eyes glistening. “Tell me all about it.” Mom looked at me. “I know Mia is holding back.”
“Guess what he told her.”
“What?”
“That he wanted to spend his life with her, Eden!His life!”
I rolled my eyes playfully, unable to hold back the biggest grin. My stomach felt like it had butterflies inside of it, fluttering around, making me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Mom and Serena started gossiping back and forth like they were old friends, and I knew it was good for both of them, so I shut up and let it happen. Plus, it made me feel all giddy inside, so I didn’t mind that much.
As I lay there and listened, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out.
Michael: I’ll be home late.
I frowned at the message because I wanted to jump for joy in his arms because Mom had gotten her memories back. Beyond excited. Over the moon. I couldn’t even begin to explain how I was feeling at that moment. No matter the pain, heartbreak, hurt that I felt … everything seemed to be coming back together.
CHAPTER22
MICHAEL
After filling out the rest of the paperwork for this damn restraining order, I submitted it at the courthouse and was told someone would get in touch about a court date to get it approved. I walked out of the courthouse and sat in my car. I was sure it wasn’t often that a man filed for a restraining order against his ex-wife, but Linda had been taking things up a notch.
It had gone from texting me to showing up at my house to visiting Mia at work when she thought I wouldn’t be there. What would she do next? Try to hurt Mia? I wasn’t about to take any chances.
I pushed my phone into my pocket after sending Mia a text and started the car, heading onto the highway and passing the exit to our home.
I’d lied to Mia over text.
I didn’t have to work late.
I needed to go see her mother.
After pulling into the St. Barbars’ parking lot, I spotted Mia’s car, parked on the other side of the building, and waited for her to come out so I could go see her mother. My stomach was in knots for the entire fifteen minutes.
Mia and Serena came out of the building, big smiles on their faces. My lips twisted into one, too, as I watched her, standing there in an off-white dress, the wind blowing it against her legs, moonlight bouncing off her face.
I couldn’t believe I was going to actually do this. It was getting real. So damn real.
Once she got into her car with Serena, she texted me.
Mia: Mom finally has her memories back! I’ll see you at home. <3
She backed out of the parking spot and drove off, tail lights disappearing into the night. My heart tightened at her message, beating faster and faster. I undid my seat belt and hurried into the assisted living center, knowing that visiting hours would be ending soon.
Carol greeted me at the front desk with a big,forcedsmile. “Coming to see your father?”
“Ms. Stevenson.”
