Mom scans theparty that’s currently sprawled across my expansive living room. When she finds Iris chatting with Nicola on my couch, her eyes light up. “I knew they’d be fast friends,” Mom whispers gleefully. “They’re so similar.”
We’re in the middle of the preseason schedule with the regular season still a few weeks away, so I figured now was the perfect time to invite everyone in my inner circle to a housewarming party. At least, that’s what I told Iris. In truth, I’ve been chomping at the bit to introduce my amazing girlfriend to everyone, so I concocted a reason. I know Iris has only been living here a month, but I’m now more certain than ever I want to wake up next to her every morning for the rest of my life.
Mom taps a manicured finger against her glass of chardonnay before shifting her gaze from Nicola and Iris to me. “Isn’t it wonderful to finally have some women in our family? My God, Sofia and I have been surrounded by oceans of testosterone for far too long.”
Sofia is Mom’s sister. Marco’s mother and my aunt. And, of course, Aunt Sofia is here today, along with everyone else who matters most to me. The only important person who’s not here today is Maverick, but that’s only because he was here over the weekend, and he already loves Iris as much as I do.
“It seems like things are still as wonderful with Iris as ever. Yes?”
I look around to make sure nobody’s within earshot. “They’rebetter than ever, Mom. I didn’t know I could love someone like this.”
Mom’s dark eyes light up. “Have you told Iris that—in those exact words?”
“Keep your voice down, Mom. Jesus.”
Her eyes narrow. “I was whispering, Roman.”
“No, you were practically shouting.”
Mom snorts. “You’re insane.”
“You might have been whispering with your voice, but your body language was screaming, ‘Give me another grandbaby and give it to me with Iris!’ I don’t want Iris catching wind of that.”
Mom giggles. “Why not? She’s wonderful for you and a perfect fit with the family. I vote you let that cat out of the bag and let her know you love her.”
“Would you take a sip of your wine and act natural, please? Your eyes are bugging out. You look like a rabid dog.”
Mom shoots me one of her patentedtsks.“If I’m a dog, then you’rea son of a bitch.”
“I didn’t call you a dog, Mother. It was a metaphor.”
Mom stares me down with those dark eyes of hers that see right through a person’s soul. “I didn’t appreciate the metaphor, darling.”
“It was a bad choice of words. Can you please just act natural, as a favor to me? If Iris looks over here, she’s gonna know something’s up.”
“Something’s up?” Mom asks, her dark eyebrow slanted up. “What’s up, Roman?”
I touch the ring box in my pocket to make sure it’s still there and exhale in relief when it is. “Nothing. Never mind. Another bad choice of words.”
Mom’s not buying it. “Hmm,” she says, while sipping her wine.
Jesus, I’m a wreck. Fuck.
When I pulled my mother over here to chat, it was becauseI was foolishly feeling the urge to spill my guts to her about the diamond ring that’s been burning a hole in my pocket since yesterday. But now that she’s being so brazenly pushy and enthusiastic about Iris, I’m realizing she’s the last person to trust with my secret. Mom’s normally got a fantastic poker face. She’s where I got mine, actually, since God knows I didn’t get it from Dad. But for some reason, when it comes to Iris, Mom can’t keep a straight face to save her life.
“You still haven’t answered me,” Mom says. “Have you told Iris you love her or not?”
I roll my eyes. “You think I’d invite a woman to live with me, in my home, with my child, without first saying those words to her?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you’re right. I did. Like an idiot.”
We both snort-laugh.
“But then, I figured out my mistake and said it to her during our first night here.” I can’t believe that was only five weeks ago. My relationship with Iris has deepened and flourished so much since then, that magical night feels like a lifetime ago.
“Did Iris say it back to you?”
