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"Hearing your parents are getting a divorce then running off to Vegas to get married." Mom takes a long sip then sets her mug on the counter. "It's not hard to draw a line between the two things."
"I like her."
"Do you love her?"
Why is everyone asking me that? I offer Mom my best smile. From the look in her eyes, I'm not sure she's buying it. But it's all I've got. "Being with her feels right."
Mom makes that mhmmm sound again.
"She's a fucking amazing woman. Don't give her shit."
That gets Mom smiling. "I may not be a 'fucking gentleman,' but I am always polite."
I have to laugh.
Right on cue, Bella steps out of the bedroom in that same cute dress, a different adorable cardigan covering he
r shoulders. Her hair is in a loose bun. Her lips are pink.
Damn, my fingers are itching to pull those glasses off her face. My lips are itching for hers.
This conversation is torture. I need to be someplace where the world makes sense.
And Bella in my bed—that makes a lot of fucking sense.
Mom slides off her stool. She goes to shake Bella's hand. "It's very nice to meet you officially."
"You too," Bella says.
"Forgive me if I seem surprised. It's nothing personal. You're a lovely woman and you seem smart," Mom says.
Bella taps her glasses. "I get that a lot."
Mom laughs. "They are lovely frames. They suit you."
Bella smiles. "Thanks."
Mom's voice lifts to a playful tone. "Joel has never even mentioned a girlfriend before."
Bella blushes. "It happened pretty fast."
"There's nothing wrong with a whirlwind romance." Mom laughs. "I understand the rush. Joel is one of a kind. You don't want to let someone like him slip through your fingers."
"True." Bella moves into the kitchen and takes the seat next to mine. "Tea?"
I motion to the kettle. "The water is warm."
"He's always been such a special young man. And always so good with women. Even when he was in marching band," Mom says.
Bella laughs. "Joel was in marching band?"
Mom nods. "He was a Drum Major." Mom winks at me. "They're basically team captains."
"A chance to boss everyone around." Bella fixes a cup of English Breakfast. "That sounds like Joel."
"You should have seen him running theater crew," Mom says.
"Theater crew?" Bella shoots me a really look.
