“No.”
“Did you get a tan?”
“No.”
“Hmm. Been working out more?”
“Definitely not in the gym,” I quip because the reality is that it’s in bed with her son.
She snaps her fingers. “Ah, you just seem… happier. Is there a new man in your life?” She steps forward and nudges my shoulder with her arm. “I’ll keep the gossip down.”
What is with our parents all trying to pretend they’re thirty and part of the crowd?
“Not exactly.” Wrong choice of words but also the truth.
Nancy winks at me. “Fair enough. I’ll wait and listen for any developments.”
A wave of warmth, the kind I sometimes get when dizzy, washes over me. I feel incredibly guilty right now that she doesn’t know that I’m officially her daughter-in-law. I wonder if that would make her happy or if she believes that I’m deserving of her son. Not that her opinion matters.
I inhale a deep breath and remember that marriage aside, I have ideas in my head that involve her. “Since my brother is away, I’ll ask if he needs for help with Oliver’s birthday party. Normally the guys plan birthdays for one another. Maybe something with just family and friends, nothing crazy but not a BBQ either.”
Her entire demeanor softens, and her eyes stake into me, her smile so incredibly warm. “That’s great. You’re always a little party planner. I’m sure it will be wonderful. I remember the murder mystery you planned. I heard about it for weeks.”
I chuckle to myself. “No murders for this one.”
“Just send me the details. We’ll be there. We’re not traveling again until next month.”
“Perfect. Well, I need to get home. I need to grade papers and all that jazz.”
Her eyes almost sparkle in admiration. “You are something special, you know. Being a teacher isn’t easy.”
I shrug. “Someone has to do it. Besides, it might change a bit now that I have a h—…homework. Yep, issuing less homework and that cuts my workload.” Holy crap that was a close one. Nearly said husband who is helping me get the building for a preschool.
“Hopefully. It was nice to run into you.” She touches my shoulder in passing.
All the fear erases from me as she walks away.
A little reminder of my unusual situation.
Sitting on my couch,I go over my lesson plans for next week. With my pen in one hand, the fingers on my other hand play with the necklace with the ring along my collarbone. It’s a struggle, as my thoughts keep lingering back to Oliver. The other night, he closed off when I pried for details of what he wants in life.
I just want to do something for him as I’m so indebted. It’s also the fact that I’ve never wanted to make someone so happy in my life. He deserves it, and it’s the only way that I’ll smile.
Reviewing the calendar, my eyes still on a date.
Husband or not, I would have been involved in planning Oliver’s birthday. Everyone seems to come to me for help in that department.
That also means that nobody will bat an eye if I organize one. I’ll make it his best birthday yet and nobody will need to know that it’s because I’m completely besotted with the man.
A dinner down at the River Bell with a group of friends and family. Simple decorations. A drink menu with a specialty cocktail, and after the party, I’ll throw on something for his eyes only.
You only turn 34 once.
Still, I need to cover my bases, and I grab my phone and quickly type a message to my brother.
Me
Hey! Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon but just wanted to check if you needed me to do anything for Oliver’s birthday? I remembered that it’s soon and normally you plan a gathering or something. I can imagine you have been occupied. Should I just take that off your hands?
