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Malik took her arm and began to back out of the room. “That’s excellent news. And now that we know you’re not being attacked by a swarm of wasps or rabid groundhogs, we’ll leave you to your private conversation.”

He closed the door behind them, and I turned back to my phone.

“Tell me all the details,” I demanded. “What did the doctor say? Do you need any follow-up? Any surgery?”

“No surgery, but the doctor does want me to have another mammogram in six months just to make sure everything is okay. It’s a benign cyst. They’re going to keep an eye on it, but if it doesn’t grow or cause any issues with the surrounding tissue, then they’re fine just leaving it be.”

I blew out a long breath. “Mom, I’m so glad to hear this. I was so worried.”

“Me too, although I didn’t want you to know it,” she admitted. “You worry enough about me as it is. I swear sometimes it feels like you’re the parent and I’m the child.”

I laughed at that, even though there was some truth to the statement. “I’m going to take the afternoon off and come out so we can celebrate.”

“No you are not. I won’t be here because my friends and I are going to go out to dinner. We’ve had plans for over a month, and as much as I love you, I’m not changing them. We’ll celebrate Sunday. You’re bringing Bwat, right?”

I felt my face heat up. “I haven’t asked him yet, but I’m sure he’ll come.”

“Of course he will. Are you admitting that you’re dating him yet, or are you still pretending the whole ‘just friends’ thing?” Mom asked.

“We’re dating.” My cheeks were on fire.

“And how do you feel about that?”

Good grief, she sounded like a therapist.

“He’s still the same awesome guy he was before. Still my friend.”

“More than a friend, I hope,” Mom blurted out. “You better be getting it on, Abigail. I haven’t given up hope for a son-in-law and possibly a grandchild or two in my future.”

“Mom!” It was the first time in my life she’d ever mentioned grandchildren. I wondered if she didn’t want to feel like she was pressuring me or if she’d given up hope.

“So what sort of foods does your Bwat like to eat?” Mom said, thankfully changing the subject. “I don’t want to assume anything based on stereotypes.”

I smiled, thinking fondly of how adventurous Bwat was. About everything.

And now I was blushing again.

“I’ve never encountered a food Bwat won’t try,” I told her. “I think he would really appreciate foods that have cultural or personal meaning to you or to us. He’d love to hear the stories about a food you ate when you were a child, or one you ate as an adult that became your favorite, or the food that’s always been a comfort to you when it’s been a bad day.”

“Then I will prepare a meal full of traditional comfort foods. Will you bring wine instead of dessert? I’m thinking of making banana pudding.”

“I’ll bring wine.”

We signed off and I immediately changed my mother’s ringtone to Celebrate by Kool & The Gang.

It took Bwat longer than usual to arrive, but I wasn’t worried. Practice often ran long, and I’d expected their new coach would be putting them through their paces. Plus I had my mom’s awesome news to relay, so I focused on work, nearly giddy with happiness.

When the orc finally arrived, I jumped up from my chair and ran to him, throwing myself into his arms.

“She’s going to be okay, Bwat,” I said into his chest. “Mom doesn’t have cancer. It’s just a cyst, and she’s going to be fine.”

He hugged me close kissing the top of my head before pressing his cheek against my hair. “Oh, my Abby, I am so happy to hear this news. Are you leaving now to go see her?”

I laughed. “No because she’s got plans with friends. I’ll see her on Sunday. And I need to let you know that you’re invited to dinner as well. She’s very excited to meet you.”

I felt him catch his breath, and his arms around me tightened. “Of course I will come. What can I bring? I have read that it is not socially acceptable to arrive for dinner without a hostess gift.”

“Mom asked me to bring wine, but you could bring flowers or something else,” I told him.