“Why didn’t you finish the piece of cake you got?”
Rory hesitated. “I really should work on losing weight. I shouldn’t have gotten a second piece.”
“It’s a party,” Eddie said. “You can have a little fun.”
Rory agreed. His mother insisted otherwise. She decided what he should and shouldn’t eat and he didn’t want to disappoint her.
“I also heard what your mother said,” Eddie said, turning red.
“Oh,” Rory said. “She’s just worried about my health.”
“I see,” Eddie said. “I wanted to check up on you. You seemed upset.”
Eddie had that right. His mother upset him. He hated how she controlled his life.
“I understand what you’re going through,” Eddie said. “My mother was the same way. She even decided who I should marry. Didn’t matter what I wanted.”
Eddie placed a hand on his shoulder. Rory’s stomach fluttered at his gentle touch.
“My mother is trying to do that. But I’m not interested in any of the women she has tried to set me up with.”
“My advice,” Eddie said. “Do what makes you happy.”
“Thanks.”
Eddie got up to leave. “Oh, and Catherine said you made the cobbler.”
“Yes.”
“It’s amazing.” He smiled. “I grabbed a piece and sealed it in a container for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“No, but I thought you should get a piece of the cobbler you made.”
The party wound down and everyone said their goodbyes. Rory stayed to help clean up.
“Be sure to eat healthier. No more baking. I knew it was a mistake for your grandmother to get you interested when you were younger,” his mother said.
“Yes, Mother.” Rory hugged her.
Catherine presented him with a warm piece of cobbler and ice cream while he cleaned the kitchen.
“You’ve earned this,” she said.
“I…I don’t know if I should.”
“Mother’s not here to scold you,” Duncan said. “Have a piece of the cobbler you worked so hard to make.”
Rory smiled and took the plate. The warm cobbler mixed with the ice cream to create an explosion of flavors. He’d outdone himself this time. It was the best cobbler he’d ever baked.
“So.” Catherine smiled at him. “You and Eddie seemed to hit it off.”
“Yeah, he’s a great guy.”
Duncan and Catherine shared a look.
“What’s going on?”
