My shoulders lowered. "Yes. I guess so."
She gave me a stern look. "First of all, there's nothing wrong with you dating. If you wanted to do that, no one would judge you."
"I'd judge myself," I said without thinking.
Mom waved her hand. "There's no timeline for these things. I think you have to go with your heart. But with Sofia, you have to be careful. You don't want her to like someone who disappears from her life."
"That's what I'm afraid is going to happen."
"At the same time, Eve just lost her parents. I think she might know a little about what Sofia's going through, and that connection might not be a bad one. Sometimes people come into our lives for a reason. She might leave just as quickly as she came into it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing."
"So you don't think I'm making a mistake?"
Mom placed her hand over mine. "I'm saying that you should tread carefully."
I sighed. It wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped. I wanted her to tell me not to see Eve. That Sofia getting involved with her was a mistake. And I needed to pull back. I wanted clear lines between right and wrong with rules to follow.
"Nothing about what you're going through is easy. But you're doing a good job. You should give yourself a break."
My brows furrowed. "Frank seems to think I need to be doing more."
"Have you talked to the therapist that he sent you to?"
"I met with her once, and she got background information. We didn't talk about anything else."
"Remember those sessions are for you, not just Sofia. She has a therapist."
"I don't need to talk to anyone."
"You're talking to me about this. It won't hurt to speak to a professional too."
Maybe she would help with the questions I had about Sofia and Eve. Otherwise, I wasn't sure what I'd have to talk about.
Mom rested a hand over mine. "You're doing a good job with Sofia."
"I'm doing the best I can."
She nodded before moving away. "That's all anyone can ask."
The next day, I gave Sofia a snack on the way to Sweet Dreams. I didn't want her to eat cake all afternoon. She needed energy to complete her homework afterward.
I parked on the street and walked inside the bakery. There were a few customers eating and drinking coffee or tea at the tables and one person in line.
The walls were painted pink with white wainscot and crown molding.
I waited my turn, and then said, "I'm here to meet with Reina."
"We're here for the taste testing," Sofia said excitedly.
The woman smiled at Sofia. "Everything's set up for you in the backroom."
Just then, Eve appeared in the dining room. "There you are."
I followed Sofia and Eve into the backroom which had a table with several options in the middle.
"I had Reina pull everything we were considering so that you can have a bite of each. Do you have room for dessert?" Eve asked Sofia, who rubbed her stomach.
"Oh, yes."
