She steps in, uninvited, closing the door behind her. Her blonde hair catches in the lighting. She’s smiling, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside me.
Mom, sitting at the island with her tea, claps her hands together, a little too cheerfully. “Oh, sweetie, why don’t you come in and have some tea with us?” Her voice is honeyed, completely innocent on the surface—but my chest tightens because I know the undertone.
She’s baiting Tessa.Pay attention, Nate, Mom’s eyes tell me.
“Let’s catch up,” Mom continues, her eyes twinkling with that sly warmth only she can pull off. “I haven’t seen you in such a long time.”
Tessa beams, stepping farther into the kitchen, unaware ofmy stomach twisting. She drops her bag onto the counter, the soft thump echoing against the tiles.
“Why don’t you let me make you some tea?” she says, leaning casually against the edge of the island. “I’ve missed you, Mrs. Leighton.”
My jaw tightens. My mom’s subtle smirk doesn’t leave her face, but she doesn’t say anything more. And Tessa? She’s radiant, friendly… clueless.
Tessa lifts the kettle with practiced ease, betraying more familiarity with my apartment than she ought to have. My mom frowns, eyes narrowing, sending daggers my way as they exchange small talk about the weather. The kettle whistles, and Tessa pours the hot water into cups, steam curling between them.
Finally, Tessa perches on the stool, tracing the rim of her mug as she murmurs about a new book she’s reading. Mom hums along, stirring her tea in slow circles, the quiet clink of the spoon punctuating their polite chatter.
When Tessa’s almost done, Mom refills her cup. “So, dear, what this I hear about you and my son kissing on some video? Are you two together now?”
“Oh, Mrs. Leighton, it was just a joke! I think you misunderstood,” she chirps, leaning forward slightly, green eyes bright and innocent.
Mom laughs—a sharp, knowing sound. “Oh, silly me. You know old people and these new apps.” She sets her cup down with deliberate calm, letting the sound of porcelain meeting wood fill the tiny pause.
“Oh, Mrs. Leighton, you’re not old! You’re in the best years of your life, looking fly,” she says, her smile warm but careful.
Mom raises an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching. “Oh, I guess I must have misread that caption about you taking a chance… and him kissing you back.”
I freeze for a fraction of a second. Every syllable feels loaded, like a trap I don’t want to fall into. Tessa stiffens, lips pressed in a line. “I explained to Nate. It was a mistake. I didn’t mean to post it. Like you said, maybe you don’t understand how it works.”
My throat tightens. “Tessa—” Sourness and weakness coat my mouth.
Mom hums, lifting her hand for me to stop, and stirs her tea in slow circles, watching both of us. My chest constricts as her eyes glint with satisfaction.
“Well, at least this… this trend thing worked out for Robyn,” Mom says. “She told me today she kissed her best friend. What’s his name… Nate? I met him once.”
I grit my teeth. “Julian.”
“Yes, Julian,” she says, leaning back slightly, motion smooth, deliberate.
I tighten my fingers around my glass.
Then my mom adds, “He looked just delicious. A man like that… makes you want to be younger, you know?—”
“Mom!” I snap, the heat reddening my cheeks crawling down my neck.
“What? Can’t I dream a little?” She sips her tea slowly, eyes sparkling with amusement.
I swallow hard, every nerve ending prickling.
“Wait—Robyn kissed her friend?” Tessa’s green eyes narrow slightly.
“Yes, dear,” Mom continues, syrupy and teasing. “I even heard he has piercings.Plural.”
“That’s awful,” Tessa states, a flash of indignation cutting through her polished composure. “Robyn and Nate have been broken up for, like, five minutes…”
I can’t stop the edge from my voice. “How is it awful of Robyn to kiss someone after she broke up with me, but okay for you to kiss me when I’m with her?”
The words hang between us, so sharp they could cut, and my stomach twists again, guilt and frustration warring inside me.
