“I did.”
I took my sandwich and sat down next to her on the couch.She studied me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone at work likes me, and I’m not sure how to deal with it.My usual lie about transitioning didn’t scare him off.”
“Maybe that means he's decent.Also, you really need to stop telling people that.It’s not nice.”
“I’m helping break social norms through desensitization.”
Mom snorted.“You’re so full of it.You’re desperately trying to keep everyone away because you’re terrified of following in my footsteps.Not every man is as selfish as your father.”
“Meh.The good ones are rarer than a princess-cut painite ring.”
“A what?”
“A rare gemstone that costs tens of thousands of dollars just for a little piece.”
“The fact that you know that is concerning.”
“My love of fashion and accessories isn’t concerning.”My inability to support it was.But if I kept focused on my career and got Mom back in a management position where she belonged, that would turn around.
“Back to the topic at hand,” I said.“The real concern is this guy.Even Uncle Jay doesn’t intimidate him.”
“He’s that interested?”
“Your skepticism is noted and not entirely appreciated.”
“Pfft.Make up your mind.Do you or don’t you want him to be interested?”
She had me there.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.“Which is why I’m not going into work tonight.I need a break to think.”
“Okay.What show should we binge-watch?”
“You choose.But lots of action and violence, please.”
We watched five episodes of the show we started before I got a text.
(unknown):Are you avoiding me?
I stared at the words and remembered a similar question.
Are you testing me, Sophia?
Do you want to be tested?
Yes.
My face flushed.
“Everything okay?”Mom asked, noticing.
“Yeah.It’s him.”
“Really?I think this is the first time I’ve seen you blush because of a man.It’s not because you’re angry, is it?”
