Page 120 of Spies Don’t Fall for Their Best Friend

“It’s also true.”

“You’re legally required to think I’m a good deal.”

“No, I was legally required to feed you and keep you alive until adulthood. Everything after that is my professional opinion.”

A laugh escapes me.

Mom smiles, then squeezes my hand. “I’m not telling you that being with you will never require patience. Of course it will.”

“Excellent pep talk.”

“Being with Miles will require patience, too.”

I open my mouth. She raises an eyebrow. “Fine,” I say. “But probably less.”

“Every person costs something to love, Reese. You’re just keeping a very detailed record of your side.”

I look at our hands. “What am I supposed to say to him?”

“The actual truth, not the version where you present the prosecution’s case for why he should break up with you.”

I look at her sharply. “That is not what I’m planning to do.”

She just looks back.

“Okay, maybe a little.”

“Tell him what the doctors told you. Tell him what you know. Tell him what you don’t know. Tell him how you feel about it.”

“And then?”

“Then let Miles decide what it means to him.”

I shift on my stool. “But what if I already know?”

“You don’t.”

“I know he wants kids.”

“You know one thing he wants. You don’t know how he weighs it against every other thing he wants.”

I hate how much sense that makes.

Mom leans a little closer. “You’re allowed to be afraid he’ll decide it matters too much. You are not allowed to make that decision for him because you’re afraid to hear the answer.”

“That is annoyingly good advice.”

“I’ve been a mother for a long time.” Then her expression shifts. “Do you remember when I almost ended things with Hammy because I knew he was hiding something?”

“Yes.”

“You sat right here and told me I had to let him explain.”

I nod. “I was very wise.”

“You were irritating.”

“That’s usually how wisdom presents itself.”