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Vanessa: You can move in Wednesday.
Vanessa: James is leaving two days early for the BFTC.
Vanessa: His college friend Wainright is gonna be in the same city for some doc conference so they wanna meet up.
I do my best to smile at the news.
While Vanessa doesn’t need a roommate while her boyfriend is off training for four months to be a Fed or whatever, she doesn’t mind letting me crash in his absence.
We’re on the same schedule.
We like a lot of the same foods.
And we dislike a lot of the same people.
Pretty sure that it’s going to be the second-best living situation I’ve ever had.
“I’ll be off your ship by Wednesday,” I announce in tandem with typing my response.
“You don’t have to deboard,” Mom states, doing her best to maintain the metaphor. “You are welcome to stay aboard.”
“Onboard,” is swiftly corrected as I hit send. “And no. You’re Caribbean clear ready to stop living in a hotel. ForSulusake, you’re meeting a realtor for a coffee in the morning to look at condos.”
“Condos with adequate guestrooms, which means you can live with me rent free for a while.”
“And return the cock blocking favors I owe you from high school?” Mirth quickly makes its way into my crystal gaze. “Nah.”
Her light beige complexion instantly reddens.
“Is there a reason you hadn’t told me you and Clark were a thing?”
Mom’s lavender cardigan covered shoulders innocently bounce. “It never seemed like a good time?”
“A good time?”
“The right time.”
“To tell me your life of celibacy wasn’t leading you to a convent?”
“That I had found the love of my life.”
Surprise over the proclamation momentarily stuns me silent.
“You know I loved your dad-”
“More than a rational person probably should’ve.”
“-but I know we weren’t right for each other.” An unexpected exhale of relief reverberates around the restroom. “We made it work for you.” Guilt grows in her soft gaze. “Which is what a lot of people do when there are children involved.” Her fingers fold nervously together in front of her. “And I don’t regret it, Bryn. It just…required me to wait a tad longer to find my person.” She lets her head rest dreamily against the wall. “The one I can’t wait to wake up to be with each morning. The one I’m happy to see most nights before I fall asleep. The one who…wants your blessing before he’ll ask me to marry him.”
There’s no stopping my entire frame from melting in awe. “He wants to marry you?”
She bashfully nods on a bite of her bottom lip.
“Mom!!!!” High-pitched squeals are followed by me throwing myself at her. “That’s amazing!” Our embrace is tight and warm and long. “I’m so happy for you.”
She waits until we’ve pulled apart to remind, “He hasn’t asked yet.”
“But we both know he’s going to.” There’s no stopping my head from tilting in curiosity. “Is he meeting you for coffee with the realtor?” A small gasp escapes. “Is this going to be your first place together?!”
