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“Girl, you have no idea.I nearly lost my shit with the last one.Samara had to talk me down.”The cell phone in her hand went off, and she groaned.“I’m sorry, honey.I have to take this.We have a project that is almost complete, but the supplies we need were delayed.Hopefully I get this figured out today so my husband doesn’t have to step in.Let me know if you need anything, but you’re doing a fantastic job already.”
Promising her I would, I let her take the call.No sooner had she turned away than the phone rang again.In between calls, I filled out the paperwork for Jos, but I didn’t have a spare minute to return it to her.With all the calls I had to take, I was easily the busiest person in the entire building.
I was so consumed with work that I didn’t have time to think about how Jack would react.Yet every time the door opened, anticipation fluttered in my tummy.I expected him to show up and drag me home, and each time it was just a client or someone with a package, I was left disappointed.
By the time I saw Gracie walking through the front door, my throat felt scratchy from all the talking I’d done.“Hey, stranger,” she greeted.“Are you ready to eat?”
“Beyond ready.”Grabbing my things, I walked around the desk.“This place is insane.”
Laughing, she slid her arm through mine as we left.“Jos texted me earlier, told me how easily you’ve settled in.How do you like it so far?”
“I’ve talked more in the past few hours than I have in a month.”I wasn’t sure if I was complaining or telling her how much I had enjoyed myself.It wasn’t physical work like when I’d waited tables, but it was definitely exhausting.“Did Jack get upset when he realized I was at work?”
“I haven’t seen him,” his mom said with a shrug as we walked to the car.“For some reason, he seems to be sleeping in today.”
Heat instantly filled my face, and I ducked around to the passenger side in an attempt to collect myself.
“A-are we going to Aggie’s?”
Her laughter sounded so sweet and pure that my heart melted.“There’s no better way to celebrate anything than with a burger from Aggie’s.”She opened her door.“And a slice of cake for dessert.”
“Dessert with lunch?”
“We’re celebrating, sweetheart.”
Despite my face feeling like it could melt the polar ice caps, I found myself grinning.“I like the way you celebrate, Gracie.”
We both got into the car and I fastened my seat belt, but Gracie just sat there.“Is something wrong?”I asked, concerned.
“I… Um…” The uncertainty in her voice made me look at her a little closer.In all the time I’d known her, I’d never seen her hesitate like she was in that moment.Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, causing her to look years younger, like a girl unsure of what to say next.
“Gracie?”
“Maybe… One day… I mean, you don’t have to.Not ever, if you don’t feel comfortable, but I’m just saying… I’m putting it out there, and you can do whatever you want with it, okay?”
I grasped her hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze.“Okay.”
“It’s only when you feel comfortable with it, but if you don’t, that’s fine.I understand.I don’t want you to feel pressured or to think I’m trying to replace anyone or—”
“Gracie, what are you trying to say?”
“You can call me ‘Mom’ if you want.I mean, if, and only if, you want to.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them back.Throwing my arms around her neck, I hugged her so tight, neither one of us could breathe for a moment.“You have no idea how much I wish you were my real mom,” I choked out.“Gracie, you make me feel like a daughter is supposed to.I-I love you, and I think… I mean, I hope, that you love me too.And I-I really want to call you Mom, but—”
“Shh, sweetheart.”Her touch was so damn soothing when she stroked her fingers through my hair.“I do love you.Even if Jack weren’t crazy about you, I would adore you.You’re mine just as much as you are his.Don’t be upset.I’m sorry if I hurt you.I only wanted to—”
“I’m not upset!I’m h-happy.”
“You sob like your heart is broken when you’re happy?”
“I don’t know,” I cried, burying my face in her shoulder.“I-I’ve never been this happy.”
“Ah, sweetie.”She clutched me harder against her.“That’s going to change now.I promise.Jack, Hawk, and I will make sure all you know is happiness.”
Sniffling, I leaned my head back.“Thank you for offering to let me call you ‘Mom.’That means so much to me…but…”
“It’s too soon,” she finished for me when I trailed off, her smile telling me she understood.“It’s okay, Nishia.We don’t have expiration dates in our family.”
