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“I’d love that,” my mom says.
“I’ll leave you guys to it.” Hayden walks to me, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “I’m sure you have a lot to catch up on.” He kisses my temple before pulling away.
“Are you sure?” I tilt my head up to look at him. “You can come with us.”
“Nah, you deserve some alone time. Plus,” he says, his tone full of mischief, “it would be awkward for me to overhear you telling your mom about your other boyfriends. I get jealous.”
I groan. “Leave before I find something to hit you with.”
He chuckles but makes his way to my mom. “It was nice to meet you, Yvonne. I hope to see you later.”
My mom surprises him by giving him a hug, and he freezes temporarily but hugs her back after a moment’s hesitation.
“I’ll interrogate you about your intentions with my daughter later,” she says sweetly.
“Can’t wait.” Hayden waves at us before heading out.
I sigh. The two of them together really are something.
The front door closes, and my mom turns to me with knowing smile. “That man is obsessed with you.”
“You’ve seen us together for like five minutes.”
“And I saw it within two,” she says matter-of-factly.
“Sure,” I joke, but I feel a tiny flutter in my chest. “Should we invite Kora to lunch?”
My mom’s eyes light up. “Yes, please. And then I want to hear every detail about your relationship.”
“And then Hayden punched him.” Kora finishes her story with excitement, imitating the punch.
“Wow,” my mom says, her eyes wide as saucers.
“Kora, my mom is going to think Hayden is aggressive or something if you tell her shit like that.”
“What? No! Clearly, it’s the opposite. He was protecting your honor,” Kora argues.
“I don’t approve of violence,” my mom says, “but in this case? Well, I’m conflicted. His brother did say something awful about you.”
“Exactly.” Kora nods vigorously in agreement.
We’re casually striding down Main Street after lunch. It’s incredibly hot out, the early afternoon sun beating down relentlessly, and I know I’ll need another shower before the funeral starts. But I told them I wanted to go to the venue and help set up, and they both insisted on coming with me to help.
“His brother is a big tool bag who deserved it.” Kora grins.
“And it’s all because of what happened at the gala?” My mom looks at me curiously.
“Yep. I mean there’s a lot of history there,” I say, trying to be vague.
We’re approaching Town Square Park, and relief floods over me when I see that everything is already in motion. Hayden is talking to a vendor and pointing toward the gazebo.
“Well, it seems like you’re both very protective of each other,” my mom says approvingly.
“It’s because they’re in loooooove,” Kora singsongs.
I whip my head toward her sharply, scared that my boyfriend will hear us from across the park, and I shush her. “No, we’re not. We’re just … like, we like each other, okay? But it’s not that.”
My mother and Kora exchange amused glances, and I groan.
