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My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. “Didn’t Dad tell you? West is riding across the country for charity to prove to the Board of Aames that he’s prepared to take the helm. He’s lining up sponsors, and he’s planning to donate money to the Rainbow Equality Alliance in San Francisco at the end of his ride.”

“And you’re helping him? How much is all of this costing you, Bridges?” Yep, skepticism was the flavor of the day.

“Number one, he’s working at the shop every day after he finishes his courier job. For every hour I’ll be with him on the ride, he’s giving me an hour of work.”

“Oh, so you’re screwing your employee. That’s a great idea, Bridges.” The raised eyebrow reminded me of the ass chewings I used to get when I did something stupid as a kid.

“Okay, that’s harsh. We’re taking things slowly, Mother. Look, he makes me happy. He and I enjoy biking together and, if I recall correctly, you worked with Dad at a brokerage house before I came along. You dated your boss.”

Mom giggled. “He wasn’t my boss. He worked for my boss. Anyway, are you going through a mid-life crisis? How much older are you than Weston?”

I should have guessed that was coming my way. “There’s twenty years between us, but it doesn’t bother us. Your parents were thirty years apart in age,” I reminded.

Mom smirked. “Yes, but that was back in the fifties when that sort of thing was done. Do you have anything in common?”

“Yes, but we’re still learning about each other. Not everyone gets married after knowing each other for three months, Mom.” My parents’ whirlwind courtship was a thing of legends in the Eaton family.

I got to be at Mom and Dad’s shotgun wedding. That was the part that Mom seemed to skip over when she told the rather fairytale-esque story of their courtship. I always laughed.

“Yes, well, I guess that’s not a problem you’ll encounter. Okay, if you enjoy his company and the two of you are getting to know each other, then I’m happy. What can I do to help?”

Present

And that was how the Greene’s and Harmon’s got invited to Thanksgiving dinner. I wasn’t sure how Mom got Dad to agree to it, but we were there, and I had Constance to thank. She might walk around with her nose in the air most of the time, but I could always count on her in the long run.

“May, what are your plans going forward?” She was at the other end of the table with Mom and Dad, but there was something about the tone of my mother’s voice that had me immediately turning in that direction.

“I’m going to move back to Vermont for a while. I have family back there, and I feel like it would be helpful to be around them.” May’s voice wasn’t loud thankfully. West hadn’t mentioned her move to me, leading me to believe he didn’t know. Her telling him at a dinner party was a shit move.

West was talking to Malcolm and George about the Katy Trail in Missouri, and when May answered Mom, I was glad he hadn’t heard her. George and Malcolm were telling West about places they’d hiked when they were younger.

Dad spoke up. “What are you doing with the apartment?”

“Well, we’re having to pay rent for it right now into the trust, and it’s foolish for West and I to have all of that room. I’ve asked Edmond to sell it.”

Suddenly, all conversation stopped. I glanced at Weston to see his face was pale. He didn’t move for a moment, and then he stood, folded his napkin and placed it next to his plate. “Excuse me.”

He quickly left the room, and I was livid. I followed him, finding him pacing the sunroom. “West, did your mother tell you she’s selling the apartment and moving back to Vermont? I wasn’t told anything as the executor.” I stepped behind him and touched his shoulder, trying to judge his distress.

West released a sob, so I turned him into my chest and held him. God, what was wrong with people?

After a moment, he stepped back a bit, but I didn’t release him. “She doesn’t think I can finish the ride either. God, am I stupid for thinking anyone has ever believed in me? Now, I’ll be living in a box in the park.”

“Baby boy, I believe in you, and I know how hard you’ve worked for this. You won’t be homeless and you’re not living in a box in the park. Don’t let this discourage you, please. I’m in your corner all the way.” And I was. Whatever happened, I would be there for him.

Unfortunately, May chose that moment to come into the sunroom. “Bridges, will you excuse us?”

“No, May. I won’t. Weston and I are leaving. Here’s cab fare to get home.” I reached into my wallet and handed her a hundred, knowing there was no way West wanted to talk to her at the moment.

I took his hand and led him out to the foyer to collect our coats from the hall closet and send a text to the car service to pick us up. Weston had been blindsided by his mother’s news, and I wouldn’t make him return to the dining room and pretend nothing had happened.

I put my hand on his back and guided us out the door and down the hallway to the elevator. “You don’t have to go, Bridges. I’d like some time alone so I’ll walk home. Are you opening the shop tomorrow?” The light in his eyes was gone, and the doubt that replaced it tore me up inside.

“No, I’m not opening tomorrow. Alexis went with Stephanie for the holiday, and since I’m not having a Black Friday sale of any kind, I doubt I’d have any customers. Come home with me and let’s talk about this, baby boy.”

Weston sighed, his demeanor revealing how emotionally exhausted he felt. “I just want to be by myself. I’ll come over tomorrow after work.”

As much as I wanted to insist he go home with me, I had to respect his wishes. He wanted time to process what had just happened, and I had to let him. I didn’t have to like it, though.