AllFreeNovel
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I’m late meeting my mother for lunch the next day. She’s been my rock this last year; she and Moira acted as my head cheerleaders as I sifted through the mess of my life and built something I could be proud of. Mom didn’t even blink when I changed our weekly lunches from the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet to a cute bistro with enormous lunch salads.
Honestly, I’m a lucky woman. She’s been so supportive my whole life, not just since the mess with Jeff and everything that happened after. I’ve never had to question whether she loves me or if she’ll support my choices. Not like Nic and his dad.
It’s that thought that has me squaring my shoulders as I enter the restaurant. If he can stand up to his father, the least I can do is tell my mother the truth.
She’s always been in my corner, always. Doesn’t mean I’m not nervous, though.
She stands up to hug me when I get to the table.
“I’m glad you could make it,” she says. “I can’t remember when we skipped a week, let alone three.”
“Sorry about that.” I can feel myself blushing. “Things have been crazy lately.”
“I want to hear all about it,” she says, waving off the apology. “But first, tell me, have you already got your dress?”
“What dress?”
“For the Sizzle Ball, of course,” she says. “You said Nic is always invited, and you told me months ago you were planning to go with him.”
I’d flat-out forgotten that was coming up.
“The invitation came not too long ago,” I say. “We haven’t talked about it, but you’re right. I said I’d go this year.”
Before the chaos of the last few weeks, before Finn and Nic turned my life into a whirlwind of confusion and sex and fun, I’d been looking forward to the ball this year; something about how it would be my first real chance to show Jeff what he missed out on by dumping me.
I laugh. Hard.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, my gosh,” I say, wiping my eyes. The bistro is too quiet for me to be cracking up this much. “Mom, I’m ridiculous.”
“You are not,” she says, then adds fondly, “most of the time.”
I shake my head. “This time, definitely.” I sigh and sip my water as the server comes to take our orders. Handing over the menus with thanks and a smile, Mom leans forward as our server walks away.
“Care to share the joke?”
“I thought this year I’d go to the ball all dressed up. A real-life makeover, you know? I was going to show him what he was missing, show all my coworkers I’m not such a loser anymore.”
“Natalie Casteel, you have never in your life been a loser. Don’t think that for a minute. Not before you left Sizzle, and certainly not now, with the life you’ve made for yourself. I don’t want to hear that kind of talk out of your mouth.”
Her hand covers mine, and I smile my thanks, squeezing her hand.
“Still,” I say, squeezing again before letting her go. “That’s what I had in mind when I planned to go.”
“You don’t think that anymore?”
I shake my head, biting my lip. Geronimo. “I’m seeing someone.”
Mom smiles broadly. “I was hoping that’s why you’ve been so busy the last couple of weeks.”
“It is,” I say slowly. “But it’s more complicated than that.”
“Oh, no. He’s not married, is he?”
“No! Good grief.” Her relief is palpable. “But… it’s not just one man. I’m dating two men. Not just dating. We’re… together.” I don’t even know if I’m telling her the truth right now; Nic, Finn, and I have never talked about it. I think it’s true, but they’ve never said anything even hinting at this being permanent. Even yesterday, Nic was on the cusp of ending things because his father found out he’s bisexual.
But maybe that doesn’t matter, because it’s true for me. God help me. This thing between us, I’m in it. No matter what.
