“I promise you, I don’t think it’s weird or anything. Maybe the long-distance thing is a little weird, but I’m glad you’re seeing someone.” Reece leaned over the table slightly, lowering his voice to keep what he was saying between the three of us. “I want you to be happy, Ma. I always thought you deserved more than what Dad gave you, and deep down, you knew that, too.”
It was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
As prickly as my son could be, he was pretty perceptive—especially when it came to his mama. I had been a little withdrawn, not just because of any weirdness I felt about dating again but because Alistair and yoga took up most of my time these days. To put it bluntly, I wasn’t up my kids' asses like I used to be. It was an adjustment for them as much as it was for me.
I took off my glasses and dabbed at my eyes with a napkin. “I appreciate that, honey. I’ve just been busy with yoga and the library—and I give Alistair a lot of my free time now. I’m sorry if I’ve been distant.”
“Aw, Ma. Don’t cry.” Reece reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “We miss you, but we want you to have all the happiness in the world.”
Cyrus nodded his head in agreement.
“Cyrus is really rubbing off on you,” I told Reece with a laugh.
His cheeks flushed, and he pursed his mustache down over his lip. “I’m comfortable enough with my masculinity to talk about my feelings.”
“You’re doing great, darling,” Cyrus whispered and planted a kiss on Reece’s cheek, deepening his blush.
They were so stinking cute together. Such an unlikely couple but a perfect match nonetheless.
“Now that we’ve got that out of the way,” Reece said, “when are you going to visit him? Or when is he coming back here?”
“You know I’m afraid of flying.” I sighed, not excited to discuss the topic that had been plaguing me for the past week.
“There are medications to help with that,” Cyrus said with a wide grin that showed off the sharp tips of his teeth. “They mellow you out a bit, and the next thing you know, you’ll have landed in Colorado.”
“Yep.” Reece nodded. “I got some from my doctor for our trip to England, and that’s a much longer flight.”
Maybe with medication, I could do it.
What was that affirmation again…
I can do hard things.
“I’ll think about it,” I said, and saw Reece give Cyrus a knowing look.
“Where is our waitress?” Cyrus scanned the restaurant for our server. “I don’t want Beau to mess in his kennel.”
Reece grinned and gripped his hand. “You’re such a cute dog dad.”
“What can I say? The little furball has grown on me,” Cyrus said with a shrug.
I didn’t have anywhere to be, and I planned to treat the two of them anyway…
“Why don’t you two go take care of Beau, and I’ll get the check. I’m not in any rush.”
“Mrs. Rollins, we—” Cyrus started, but I cut him off.
“None of that ‘Mrs. Rollins’ nonsense. I know you’re older than me, but it’s either Mom or Pam. Mrs. Rollins was Don’s mother,” I huffed.
Reece pulled out his wallet and threw a few bills on the table. “Let us get the tip then.”
I sighed, wishing my son wasn’t such a stubborn ass but appreciating the gesture all the same. “If you insist.”
They rose from their chairs and came over to say goodbye.
“Thanks, Ma. Love you,” Reece said, giving me a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Love you too, honey.”
