“Why are you all smiles today?” her mother asked.
Sophia stopped straightening the stack of magazines on the coffee table and glanced at her mother, convalescing on the couch. “I wasn’t aware I was smiling.”
What she had been doing was thinking about Ryder and the fact she would see him in less than an hour.
“You’ve got a dreamy look in your eyes, too. And I noticed you’re not wearing your contacts. You’re not covering up the real you. It’s about time.” Her mother grinned. “So, who is he?”
She snickered and shook her head, ready to give a vague answer when her mother spoke again.
“Is it that Ryder guy?”
Sophia’s heart rocked clear up into her throat. “How…?”
Her mother chuckled. “I know things. I also took a train to see your sets for Oklahoma.”
“You did? When?” She sank onto the loveseat and stared across at the smiling sneakpot. “Why didn’t you come find me?”
“It was opening weekend. I got there just as the curtain went up, so there was no time to find you before the show. And when I went to find you afterward, you were in the arms of a very handsome man. A very nice lady told me his name. I’ve never seen you so happy.” Tears glistened in her mother’s eyes. “Are you still seeing him?”
She nodded, unable to keep the smile from her face. “He’s great. He makes me feel…amazing.”
“I noticed you havethe passion. That is good. I witnessed it firsthand.” Her mother fanned herself.
Heat rushed into Sophia’s face. “Ma—”
“What?” Her mother frowned. “I was young once. I rememberthe passion. Your father and I still have it, we’re just not as spontaneous as in our youth.”
And Sophia really didn’t need to know any more. “Okay. I get it.”
Her mother chuckled. “You’ll be my age someday, just wait. And with the right person, hopefully, you’ll be just as happy.”
Her parents always had a loving relationship, it’s the reason Sophia never settled for any of the guys paraded at her. None of them made her feel…none of them ever connected. Not like Ryder.
“You love him, don’t you?” Her mother’s gaze softened.
She nodded, her own insides going mushy. “Yes. I do.”
“I thought so.” A pleased expression spread across her face. “That’s why I haven’t called so much. Or mentioned any guys. I was hoping you found a good man on your own. So…what’s he like? I already know he’s not Italian, but that’s okay. I won’t hold it against him. Now, your father…I’m not so sure.”
With a light heart, Sophia told her mother about Ryder and his family, and some of the less racy moments from her summer with him.
“I’m sorry I pulled you away.” Remorse clouded her mother’s gaze. “I don’t see any reason for you to still hang around here.” She brushed imaginary lint off the blanket surrounding her and huffed. “Your father is just too overprotective.”
“He loves you, and doesn’t want you to overdo it—like you usually do,” Sophia said.
“Well, I’m fine now. You can go back.”
She chuckled. “Next week. It’ll be fourteen days, and that’s when the doctor says you’re okay to do certain things,” she reminded.
“But, your man…you can’t keep him waiting.”
She smiled. “I’ve been talking to him every day, and as a matter of fact, he’s meeting me in a half hour. We’re going to the Mets game tonight.”
Her mother’s face brightened. “He likes the Mets? See? I knew there was a reason I got a good vibe about him.”
Sophia got lots of good vibes, bothaboutandfromthe man.
“Your brother’s coming in for the game, too,” her mother continued. “Maybe you can go together. Is Ryder coming here? I finally get to meet him?”
