I’m just startingto lock Rhett’s front door when my mom steps out of her car, watching me.Crap.
She stands there, clutching a baby blue box and wearing the same look on her face as when something juicy happens in one of her soap operas. “I just wanted to bring you a cinnamon roll from the diner as a little good luck charm for your first day.”
She’s trying, but failing, to pretend she’s not interested in what I’m doing with a key to Rhett’s place. As soon as I take the box from her and lead us inside the house, she asks, “What’re you doing here? Is Rhett home?”
She knows for a fact Rhett is working. I wish I could think of something else to tell her instead of giving her the satisfaction of knowing I’ve been living with Rhett, but since I can’t, I opt for the truth and hope she won’t bother me about how great Rhett is and how she knew I’d like him. That’s the last thing I need. I haven’t been able to get him off my mind all morning, which is rather useless when I can’t do anything about it.
“I knew you two would like each other. He’s so kind, and he’s handsome too.”
Taking a lesson from Rhett, I redirect her. “This cinnamon roll looks delicious.” It’s almost as big as my head and covered in a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. I put it in the fridge as I say, “Thank you.”
“What’d you end up doing yesterday?”
I pause, unsure how to answer.Oh, I just had a panic attack, and then Rhett showed up to comfort me, cook for me, cuddle with me, and make me confess all my secrets.Yeah, that’s exactly what I should tell her.
“Rhett got off work early, so we hung out.”
A smile bigger than the size of Texas spreads across her face.
“Don’t get too excited. We just watched some TV, and he cooked dinner. It’s hard not to acknowledge each other’s presence when you live in the same house.”
“But he clearly likes you or he wouldn’t be sharing his house with you.”
“He’s only sharing because he has to. The cottage won’t be ready for me to live in for a while. It worked out well for Maverick to have us in the same household too.”
I scratch Maverick’s ears.
“You’re getting pretty fond of the little guy, huh?”
“I’m just fostering him while I’m here. I can’t take him back to San Francisco. Rhett is going to take over when I leave, remember?”
“If you don’t go back, you won’t have to say goodbye.”
Again, I ignore her comment. “It’s great that you’re here, Mom. I have to leave in a few minutes to drop Maverick off at Copper Hill. He’s going to spend the day with Rhett because I have my counseling appointment after my shift at the café, but I wanted to talk with you.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, it’s great.” I join her on the couch. “I was just thinking that maybe while I’m here, we could reinstate movie nights.”
“Oh, yes! That’d be wonderful! You just name the time and place. I’m pretty flexible, but it sounds like you’ve made yourself busy here already.” She grabs my hand. “I hope you’re letting yourself take a little break still. You should rest some while you’re here. Lord knows you’ll be busy again once you get back.”
I wave her off. “That’s part of what movie nights are for. They’ll be a good way to relax while spending time with you.”
She pats my hand. “I will take any time I can get with you. Maybe we could do this weekend? Oh, wait, I said you could pick. You just pick the day and call or text me, and I’ll make myself available.”
I glance at the time on my phone. “I need to leave now, but let’s plan on movie night this weekend.”
Mom pulls me in for a tight hug, and I allow myself to sink into it for a brief moment before I pull away. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Okay, have a good shift. And say hi to Rhett for me.” She winks, something I swear she’s never done in her life.
“Oh god! Please don’t do that.”
She snickers. “It’s just that your time together seems to be about more than just Maverick.”
“I really need to go, Mom.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll take the hint.” She kisses me on the cheek and rushes out the door.
