Nate laughs under his breath, warm and maddening.“Answer it.”
“I can’t answer looking like this.”
“Here,” he says, handing me my t-shirt.
I groan, half-dressed with my hair all over the place, fully flustered, and accept the call.
“Hey, Mom.”
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL!”
I smile, trying to appear less thoroughly undone.
“Thanks, Mom.Sorry I didn’t call back, I’ve had horrible recep—wait.What is that?”
She shifts, and something bright catches the light.Nate’s hand stills on my thigh, thumb pausing mid-stroke.
Mom blushes—caught.
“Oh.Right.That.”
She lifts her left hand.
Nick leans into the frame, sheepish.
“So, uhh… I asked your mom to marry me.”
The breath leaves my lungs in a rush.
“Holy shit,” I breathe.“Congratulations.”
Mom’s shoulders relax like she’s been holding the moment in for days.
“You’re not upset?”
“Why would I be?”I ask.
“It’s only been?—”
“Mom,” I say softly, “you deserve to be happy.You deserve love.Dad would want that.”
Her eyes shine.Mine sting.
“Okay well, I wanted to let you know that we’re getting married this summer.In Eden.”
“Wow.This summer?As in, a few weeks' time?”
“I know, I know, it's soon, but we thought, why wait?When you know, you know, I guess.”She pauses, carefully choosing her words.“I want you there, sweetheart.I need you there.”
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Mom.Wait, how soon is this wedding happening?"
I glance at Nate.His eyes are on me—steady, unguarded in a way that makes it hard to breathe.
When you know, you know.
Yeah.I guess some people do.
"Guess Lydia has her hands full for the next few weeks then."
