Thisshouldfeel good. Itdoesfeel good.
That’s what makes the lying worse.
“We made pies,” I tell her, holding up the boxes.
“We?” Ben asks.
“Evan and Callum helped.” I set the boxes on the counter. “Well, mostly they made a mess.”
My mom takes them and peeks inside. “Apple and pumpkin. Perfect.” Then she looks at me, eyes soft.
Evan’s hand lands on my lower back out of habit. I stiffen, and he immediately removes his hand, realizing what he’s done.
My mom notices. Ben doesn’t.
We move into the living room, and I sink onto the couch while Ben pours drinks. My mom settles into the armchair across from me, and the triplets spread out around the room.
My mom’s eyes glaze with amusement. “So, how’s married life?”
I freeze.
Callum grins. “Exhausting.”
Evan laughs. “He means fulfilling.”
Silas doesn’t say anything, but his eyes find mine across the room.
My mom shakes her head, still smiling. “I have to tell you, the world has completely accepted this. I thought there’d be more... judgment. But no. Everyone thinks it’s progressive.”
“Progressive,” Callum repeats. “I like that.”
“My friends keep asking me questions.” She takes a sip of her wine. “Asking how you’re managing, if it’s real, if Tania’s happy. I keep deflecting. Telling them you’re all happy.”
She pauses, and something changes in her expression.
Her fingers trace the rim of her wine glass. “Actually, I’m seeing that what I’m telling my friends is true.”
Ben is pouring wine and doesn’t notice that my mom just figured out what’s really happening. But I notice. And so does Silas.
My mom stands and gestures for me to follow her into the kitchen. I do, because I am so tired of keeping this a secret from the people that I love.
The kitchen is warm and smells like butter and herbs. She checks the turkey, then turns to face me.
“You are happy, right?”
The question is simple. The answer isn’t.
“Yes.”
She studies my face. “Really?”
“Yes.” And it’s not a lie. That’s the problem.
She watches me closely. “This arrangement. Are you romantically involved with them?”
My breath catches. “Yes.”
She nods slowly, like she was expecting that answer. “Does Ben know?”
