Dinner goes betterthan I expected.
Even better than I hoped.
And not because Keisha made a surprise appearance and is a master of distracting everyone from the elephant in the room, or because when Keisha pauses to actually eat or drink something, Begonia or Marshmallow fill in the blanks.
More because I can feel Emma getting more and more comfortable the whole afternoon and early evening.
Even with my mom.
Who’s far more relaxed than I expected her to be.
Almost suspiciously so.
I corner her out on the patio when Emma excuses herself to use the bathroom after dessert. “What’s your game here?” I quietly ask my mother.
“You only get one chance to get it right with the mother of your grandchildren,” is not the answer I expect, but it’s the answer I get.
“You’re not mad that I didn’t call you?”
Mom sighs. “Disappointed that you didn’t think you could trust me. But not mad.”
“You’re not demanding a paternity test?”
“While I think it would be wise, if only for his peace of mind as he gets older, looking at him is like looking at a two-year-old you.”
“Huh.”
“I was concerned you wouldn’t handle the press well, but it seems you’re just boring enough while also being on top of the world that you still have them eating out of the palm of your hand.”
“Boring?”
She flicks a wrist like she’s batting away my objection. “Your one scandal wasn’t even ascandal. While the world at large would love to see one of us fall flat on our faces, you give them just enoughboringto keep them at bay.”
“Having a secret baby won’t be boring.”
“No, but I trust you’ve offered Emma all of the resources she’ll need when word gets out. I’m honestly shocked you’ve been here this long without a single leak.”
“This town loves her. Loves both of them.”
And I haven’t seen it.
Not much of it, anyway.
Don’t even need to. I know I’ll love it.
There are very few places I’ve been in this world that I haven’t loved and made the most of.
“If you need backup, you have my phone number,” Mom says.
Ouch. That might’ve been a subtle dig at how infrequently I’ve used it lately. “Do I? I might’ve lost it.”
“I had your brother program it back in for me while you were sleeping. And speaking of your brother—after the number ofEmmas he dated, I can honestly say I never expected to seeyouend up with one.”
I suppress a snort of laughter.
She’s not wrong.
Hayes dated at least four women named Emma before he went into his recluse era. “You’re taking this much better than I thought you would.”
