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He snorted. “I’ve seen your car. I’d need a chiropractor if I managed to get into it for any length of time.”
I laughed.
“We’ll grab subs and head to the park? It’s too nice to be inside.”
“Sounds good to me,” I chirped happily.
After picking up subs and drinks, that I insisted I pay for, we headed to the park and got ourselves a picnic table. The place was teeming with kids and dogs on leashes. As it should be, the day was perfect.
“Tell me about your sister.”
I put my sandwich down and licked a bit of mayo off my finger. His eyes zeroed in on my lips and I froze at the intensity there. I pulled my finger out with a small pop and he looked almost pained. I felt my nipples tighten. I looked down quickly and grabbed a napkin to distract us both for a moment. I felt his pain, my mind going in the same direction his own had most assuredly just been.
I cleared my throat and fought the blush staining my cheeks. “Mara is the best. She’s incredibly supportive, strong, nurturing, and giving. She’s everything a mother should be, and honestly, with her being so much older than me, she was more a mother to me than my actual mother.”
“You were a surprise baby?”
“Yes. Not a good one in the end.”
His left brow went up and surprise flickered over his face. “How’s that possible?”
I had surprised myself even more than I’d surprised him. I didn’t usually allude to
my relationship with my mother, at all, ever. With him, I wanted to give him the truth about me.
“I think in the case of my mother, I failed her, coming out of the womb like I did with a vagina instead of the hoped-for penis. She always imagined herself with one of each, I ruined her inner family portrait. She never got over it.”
“And your father?”
“He loved me, but he adored her. She could do no wrong in his eyes.”
“That’s sad.”
I smiled. “It wasn’t all bad. I had Mara, and later, Mara’s husband Zale, and now Olivia as well. And Bex, too. They are my family.”
“I think I’ve met Zale. It’s not a common name. There’s a guy named Zale who plays soccer with my brother.”
I nodded. “That’s him.”
“He’s a good guy. Are you close with Mara?”
I puffed up with pride. “He’s the best, honestly, he is everything that is good in a man, and so is she. Not everything that’s good in a man, of course, but she’s also the best.” I blushed but he was kind and drew no attention to it. I continued. “I love her so much. She looked after me a lot when I was younger, and she just never stopped. I try to look after her, too. She’s very,” I hesitated, looking for the right words, “sensitive. I’d say she’s fragile but she’s strong, too, so I’m not sure that fits.” I shrugged. “She’s fun. She loves to dance. She’s beautiful, giving, a great mom, she’s my family. Her, Zale, and my niece, Olivia. That’s all I need. They more than make up for what I lack with my mother.”
“Your parents are still around?”
“My dad passed away ten years ago. My mom became even more demanding and narcissistic after he passed. I don’t really have a relationship with her anymore.”
I readied myself for his pity or his judgement. I hadn’t meant to disclose that much so soon.
“Sounds like you made the best of a tough situation and came out all right with the family you do have.”
I smiled happily; glad he could see that. “I am extremely fortunate. Tell me about your family?”
He dipped his chin in acquiescence. “My parents are still alive, they’re in their late sixties, still really active, good people. They look after my niece and nephew, Rhys’s kids, a few nights a week. We usually eat all together once a week, and I try to see the twins a couple of times, so I often drop by my parents’ place on a night the kids are there. We’re close. I’m very tight with my brother. He lost his wife six years ago and that tragedy drew us even closer.”
“You’re lucky, too.”
He nodded, his handsomely severe face serious. “I am.”
