‘I hope so.It will be good to do something normal with her.I can’t remember the last time we did anything remotely mother-and-son like.’
‘I think it’ll be great for the both of you and besides, I’ll be there to break the tension.Surely it won’t be any worse than the dinner you experienced with my family.’
‘Agreed.’
‘I love being here with you.I like experiencing all the places you went when growing up.I’ll have to take you down south.Show you my hometown.’
‘I’d love that,’ I say.‘Name the time and place, I’ll be there.’
Dipping her head back, I kiss her deeply.
‘Hey Zayden?’she whispers against my lips.
‘Hey Nora?’I reply.
‘I’m falling in love with you, too.’
19
NORA
ZAYDEN’S MUM WON’T STOPstaring at me.
She introduces herself as Louise and has a wide, almost creepy grin on her face that has not changed since we walked into the restaurant.She seemed surprised to see me, as if I was nothing like the kind of girl she imagined Zayden would date, but I think that’s valid – I’m not.In fact, I’m quite possibly the opposite, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all.Just different.
‘You are gorgeous!’she gushes, already having said that to me when we first arrived at the restaurant.
‘Thank you,’ I smile, feeling myself blush.
There is a noticeable awkwardness between the two of them and Zayden quickly escapes to the bar, ordering us a round of drinks.I am seated opposite Louise, and fiddle with the menu as she stares at me.The server came and went so quickly, but the wait for our food has climbed up to almost thirty minutes.
‘I appreciate you two meeting me tonight.I’m guessing it was your idea,’ she says.
That’s true.Itwasmy idea, but I don’t confirm or deny it.
‘It’s beautiful here,’ I say instead.‘I’ve never visited Bliss Bay.What a stunning place to live.’
‘We are very fortunate to call this place home,’ she replies in agreement.‘Well, me, anyway.The kids have since moved on.They both seem to be happy and doing a lot, which is lovely.’
Zayden rejoins us, falling into the seat beside me.They look alike.Similar skin colour, although Zayden’s hair is far more sun-streaked.She has lines around her eyes and the corners of her mouth.Her long brunette hair has light tips that fall down her shoulders in a natural wave, so similar to how Anya wears her hair.
Chatter fills the restaurant, and most tables are filled.There aren’t a huge array of options in a small town like this and with such good weather this weekend, everyone appears to be out and about, soaking it up while they can.
My stomach grumbles as the server appears.He places the plates down and then hurries away.I glance around, not seeing many others out on the floor.They must be short-staffed tonight.
Louise and I talk the most.Zayden sits back, eyes flicking back and forth between us.He doesn’t look stressed or uncomfortable, but he is certainly more quiet than usual.In fact, this is the least he’s talked around me ever.Louise is easy to talk to and I’m enjoying getting to know her.I particularly love the stories she shares of Zayden growing up.He warms up at the mention of these and joins in on the conversation.
The more they talk, the more I spot the similarities between the two of them.
‘You’re still adding too much salt to everything, I see,’ she muses, voice soft, sounding similar to Anya.
‘Guess I inherited your bad habits,’ Zayden replies, still spreading the salt around his food, a bit too generously.
‘Maybe.You did inherit my stubbornness.’
Zayden nods, his cheek twitching.‘Yeah.’He stabs his fork into his steak, having almost finished his dinner already, while the two of us have barely made a dent in ours.
‘I’m proud of you, sweetheart,’ she says.‘I’ve missed you.I hate to think about the time we’ve lost.’
