My mother scowled at me and I grinned with a shrug. Sighing when she didn’t find me hilarious, I added, “We are going to Social Kitchen. Is that okay?”
Eliza flicked my arm where Mother couldn’t see, and I wanted to backhand the bitch. “Sounds perfect, Sister Dearest.” When I scowled at her, she smirked and returned to her seat.
“Honey, are you sure you don’t want us to stay in a hotel? I’m sure you and Skylar wouldn’t want us imposing. Alone time is very important in a relationship, you know.”
My eyes widened with surprise at the mention of Skylar. I had told my father about our breakup, but I never got around to telling my mother. It was easier to talk about things like that with him. He didn’t care about personal details, so I never had to explain anything further.
I only told him things so he would know what’s going on in my life, and I wouldn’t have to worry about him bringing up something that I didn’t want to talk about, because he didn’t know about it. He was very cut and dry, and I admired that about him.My mother, on the other hand… very different.
“You aren’t imposing, Mother. I want you there. I have plenty of space.” I put on a genuine smile. Thankfully, we arrived at the restaurant before she could press the issue any further.
We settled into a table, and I desperately needed a drink, but that would have to wait until later.
“Vosses do not drink in public, dear. It is positively ghastly,” my mother would say. I didn’t think it was “ghastly” at all, but what did I know?
“What’s new with you three? How’s school going?”
“School is…” Eliza began.
“Ugh! We haven’t seen each other in so long and you want to talk about school?” Poppy groaned, rudely interrupting Eliza. “Did I tell you about the red Mustang Dad bought for me? It was an early graduation present.”
“No one wants to hear about your stupid car! Seriously! You brag about it to every person you meet!” Sophie interrupted. “I, for one, will be moving to Italy after graduation to pursue a career in art restoration. Did I tell you about the salary? I could never see myself working in something as ridiculous as psychology?—”
“Well, at least I will actually help people, instead of fixing someone else’s work!” Poppy said as she stuck out her tongue toward Sophie.
“Girls! Stop fighting. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all!” my mother intervened.
Eliza shyly spoke up. “As I was saying, school is going great. I am planning on going to Costa Rica after graduation to explore the effects of the environment on wildlife. I may even go to Antarctica to research the polar ice caps after.”
“That all sounds amazing. I’m really proud of all of you.” There, their one compliment for the year.
“What’s new with you, Dre?” I could hear the sincerity in Eliza’s tone, and I couldn’t hide my smile. Even though the triplets were the same age, Eliza seemed to have a maturity about her that I got along with better than the others.
“Well, the bookstore is still doing well. I have an author coming in for a signing in a few months. It’s beengoing pretty well, actually. Oh, and Fallon is getting married.”
“Oh, isn’t that nice, dear? Soon, both of your friends will be married ladies. I do hope you’ll follow in their footsteps, hmm?”
Groaning, I took a long sip of my tea, choosing my words carefully. “The store keeps me rather busy at the moment, Mother.”
When would she learn to stop meddling in my love life? She should’ve known by now that I didn’t want to get married, not when I knew how it could break apart a family.
“Well, Skylar isn’t going to wait around forever, darling. Speaking of, where is that lovely woman, tonight? Is she meeting us later?” My mother smiled sweetly while drinking her tea, and I tried not to choke on mine.
I sighed, taking a long drink, wishing the tea was from Long Island. “No, she will not be meeting us later. We are no longer together. She moved to New York.” Four forks crashed to the table as my mother and three sisters stared at me.
“What?! When?” Poppy asked.
“Why? What did you do?!” Sophie so lovingly chastised. She was always the bitchier one of us.
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t do anything. We broke up two years ago. She got a promotion in New York, and I didn’t go. End of story.” That wasn’t the end of the story apparently, as my mother spoke next.
“Two years?! Why didn’t you tell us sooner? Didn’t you love her? You were together for a long time. Why didn’t you go with her? She was such a lovely girl. You could have made it work if you wanted to.”
I groaned. I really didn’t want to talk about it anymore. “I’m sorry, Mother. I’ve been busy with work, and it was complicated, okay? I cared for her, yes, but… I have a store to run, and I couldn’t just drop everything and leave. She understood that. She’s doing great and she met someone else.”
My mother frowned like I’d told her Michael Kors went out of business. “Oh, Drea, I’m sorry. You’ll find someone, too, don’t worry. You have a lot to offer a woman.”
Eliza snorted. “Like what, Mother?”
