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“Still there?” I gawk.
Zev hisses. “I think he’s waiting for the fireworks to start.”
“I’m never going to make it home,” I whine.
“Sure, you will.”
“It’s not worth the risk. I do not need anything more than a firework show tonight.”
“You could always crawl to the roof access door, to make it out.”
I scoff like he’s putting me out.
“Or you could stay.”
Sighing, I say, “You did not pack enough cinnamon bears.”
“You’re absolutely right.” His pretty blue eyes study me.
I laugh again—it’s almost a strange sound to my own ears. I haven’t laughed this much in a very long time.
Twenty-Five
I stare into my phone at the freckled face of my sweet mother. Her long red hair falls on either side of her shoulders.
“Did you think she’d just automatically fall back in love with you?” Her brows knit. She sucks in a breath. “Oh, you did. Goodness. I can have a turkey pie casserole down there in three hours, Zevulun. Just give me three hours.”
“Mom, you don’t need to feed me.”
“Of course I do. You have to eat. If you don’t eat, you’ll get sick.”
“I’m eating,” I say. “I knew this would be tricky. I just didn’t expect Robert to come back into the picture, making it feel impossible.”
“You know how you love my turkey casserole.”
“Mom,” I say with a huff. “I’m meeting Rosalie at the café in half an hour. We’re having lunch.”
“Sunshine, you just have to act natural. You’re wonderful. He doesn’t have anything over you. But you’re acting jealous. That’s the problem. You’re reacting to her ex like a boyfriend would. You’re acting like you know that vampire—”
“It’s just Robert, and I do know him, Mother. Rosalie told me all about him.”
She gives me a pointed stare, and if this camera were backed up, I’m certain I’d see her hand on her hip. “I know that. And you know that. But Rosalie doesn’t know that. And she certainly doesn’t know that we know that.”
I shut my eyes and sigh. “So, you’re saying I need to be more… natural.”
“Yes. As if you didn’t know a darn thing. If you didn’t know a darn thing, what would you do?”
“I don’t know. I suppose listen to her feelings about him.” But the last thing I want to do is listen to my girl pine over that jerk.
“Then that’s what you do, Sunshine.” Mom gives one curt nod. “With everything. Not just the vampire—”
“Robert,” I growl.
Mom doesn’t seem to notice I’ve spoken though. “You know she loves teaching elementary, but she doesn’t know that yet. Honey, she’s got to go through the motions of life again. And she might not get there the same way as before. You’re trying to give her books and feed her foods you know she loves. You’ve got to let her get there in her own way.”
“So, I shouldn’t have brought her soup? I shouldn’t have asked her to watch the fireworks in her favorite spot ever? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No,” she croons. “Your mama taught you right. You always bring a sick girl soup or turkey casserole.”
