“Book the tickets,” I said, my heart bursting with happiness.
“I will—and don’t worry about the conversation between your father and Archer.”
“I’m not worried,” I said.“Archer can hold his own against Dad.”
“That’s exactly what your father wants to see.”
“Can I ask a huge favor?”
“Sure, I’ll finally give you my aquamarine and diamond earrings you’ve been eyeing since you were thirteen.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want—wait really?”
She grinned.“When you turn thirty.Now what’s the favor?”
“I have a couple of things in storage in the city.On one of your weekend trips, can you?—”
“We’ll clean out the storage unit and send you the boxes.”
“Wild, isn’t it?”I asked with bemusement.“One day, you’re living your life in one city.And then all of a sudden, you meet someone and your whole world changes.”
“Wait until you have a baby,” she said.“Then your universe changes.”
Baby.
“Does he want more kids?”she asked.“Have you talked about that yet?”
“Yes.We have, and he does.No rush, though,” I said.“Twenty-eight years, you and Dad have been together.What’s the secret to a long and happy marriage?”
“Humor,” she said.“Trust.”
I nodded.
“And a whole lotta sex.”
“Mom!” I laughed.
“You look different, honey.I mean that.Not just happy, but—happy on the inside.You’re glowing.That’s how I know this one is different.”
ChapterThirty-Four
The House
“There’s a very good chance your father is going to fly out here and castrate me,” Archer said the moment he walked into the bedroom I was using as my sewing den.
“Doubt that.My mother wants grandchildren.She won’t let him.”I looked up from the machine.
“I can’t remember the last time I was grilled by a father,” he grumbled.“It was impressive, actually.I have to give your old man some props.I should have taken notes.”
“Notes?”I asked.“About what?”
“The questions he asked me.I’ll be asking Lenni’s boyfriend those questions in twenty years.”
“Might be a little sooner than that,” I said with a wry smile.
“Nope.She’s not dating until she’s thirty.I’m putting my foot down.”
“Okay,” I said, turning my attention back to my sewing project.
