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“Single? Married? Kids? What else can you tell me about her?”
“She’s married. Her husband’s a software engineer. And she’s ten weeks pregnant with their first child.”
I smiled as I watched my mom’s whole face break open. “My first great-grandchild. How about that?” Already I could tell she was thinking ahead to baby showers, christenings, babysitting. It had been a while since any of her grandchildren had been babies.
“She’s a science teacher,” I continued. “Grew up in Deerfield. Two good parents, a nice home. She’s an only child.”
My mom raised her eyebrows. “Not anymore she’s not. She’s got a brother and sister now.”
“Yeah.” My smile returned.
“Have you told them yet?”
“I’m telling them tomorrow. They’re coming over to my place for dinner so I can break the news. You might want to say a prayer for me because I’m probably gonna need it.”
My mom eyed me as she sipped her tea. “Have you told Wendy?”
“No.”
“Well, you’d better tell her before you tell the kids—unless you want them to blindside her with the news.”
“You’re right. I will.”Shit. I hadn’t even thought of that.
“How’s Tess doing with all of this? I assume you two are back in touch?”
“Yeah. She’s good.” A memory resurfaced of last night’s ill-advised make-out session, and I reached for another cookie.
Before I could take one, my mom yanked the plate out from under my hand. “Tess is single, isn’t she?”
“Yeah,” I mumbled like a ten-year-old being called to account for an unsatisfactory report card.
“Never married, as far as I know. No other children. No parents to lean on anymore, poor thing. This must all be quite an adjustment for her.” My mom made a sympathetic tutting sound before skewering me with another one of her formidable glares. “I hope you’re doing everything you can to support her now.”
“I am.”
“Hmm.” Her eyes narrowed distrustfully.
“I swear. We even had dinner together last night after I saw Erin.” We’d done a lot more than just have dinner, but I sure as hell wasn’t telling my mom about that part.
“Good.” She pushed the plate back toward me. “Have another cookie.”
For the next hour, I sat there while my mom grilled me with questions about Erin—and Tess—all of which I answered to the best of my ability while eating way too many cookies. Some of Mom’s interest in Tess was probably just natural curiosity. My mother collected information about people the same way she collected Precious Moments figurines and spoons from around the world. But I had a strong sense she was also testing me—quizzing me about Tess to make sure I was invested in doing the honorable thing this time.
The more I talked to my mother, the more ashamed I felt about my behavior last night. This morning I’d woken up seriously pissed off at Tess—her rejection and abrupt departure had reopened old wounds and done a real number on my self-esteem—but after one conversation with my mom, my guilt far outstripped my anger. The woman was a super-powered guilt-generating machine.
I never should have kissed Tess last night. Even if she’d been an enthusiastic participant—right up until she wasn’t—I should have known better than to give in to my urges. Hadn’t I been the one pushing for us to act like a team and try to get along better for Erin’s sake? Sticking my tongue down Tess’s throat was a surefire way to blow up any chance of us maintaining civil relations. Talk about self-sabotaging.
Eventually, my mom finally ran out of questions, and I was able to make my escape. She pressed a Tupperware of leftover cookies on me and saw me off with a stern reminder to call my ex-wife before tomorrow night.
Once I was back in my car, I took out my phone and stared at my contacts. I didn’t especially feel like talking to my ex right this second. But I was headed into the office to try and get ahead of the curve so I could leave early to pick up the kids tomorrow. I knew if I didn’t do it now, I’d get caught up in work and forget to call Wendy.
With a sigh, I started the car, switched my phone to hands-free, and called Wendy’s number. “Hey,” I said when she answered. “Do you have a minute to talk? I need to give you a heads-up about something I’m telling the kids tomorrow night.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
TESS
My day was going fine until the limbo contest started up.
