Page 50 of Falling for Love

We sit on the barstools at the center island. “My baby is having a baby! I can’t believe it,” she says. “Does your sister know?”

I wince and nod. “She knows everything, but I swore her to secrecy.”

Mom nods in understanding. “Tell me, honey. Are you really okay? So much has happened, and I can’t believe you went through it alone.”

“I wasn’t alone,” I tell her. “I had Jack.” Before meeting him, I had a long stretch where yes, it was hard and lonely, dealing with Chandler on my own, but eventually I’d confided in Holly and that had helped.

“Tell me about him.”

A slow smile spreads across my face. “Well, he’s handsome, and protective, and kind.”

“I love your smile,” she says. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you look so happy. Even with everything else going on, you’re glowing, and I don’t think it’s just the pregnancy hormones.”

“Honestly, Mom, he’s a good man. And considering I didn’t really know him when we met and I got pregnant …” I blush at the admission. “I’m very lucky now.”

“The Dares are a well-known family, so yes, you are lucky. You didn’t hook up with a serial killer.” She gives me the mom look. The one I expected when I told her I got knocked up after a one-night stand, though I didn’t say it in those words.

I sigh. “I hear you.” And I’m sure I’d feel the same way if it was my child telling me the same story.

She nods and takes my hand in hers. “You’re an adult but I still worry.”

“And I understand.” Which is why I kept her in the dark for so long.

“Well, back to happy things. When can we go baby shopping?” she asks, and I let out a laugh.

“Soon,” I promise her.

“So … are you and Jack going to—”

I wave a hand, cutting her off before she can ask about the future. “We’re not there yet, and I’m not going to push or rush things.”

Mom inclines her head. “Enough said. We focus on the present.”

I nod. “And in the present, you’re going to be a grandma. A very active, important part of my baby’s life.”

She pulls me into her embrace, and I breathe in the familiar scent that reminds me of my childhood and all good things. “Now, should we rescue Jack from your father’s grilling?” she asks, stepping back.

“Good idea,” I say, laughing, and together, we walk out of the kitchen and head back to our men where I hear Jack explaining how he purchased and opened the nightclub with his friends.

“Dad, leave him alone,” I say, grinning as I walk back into the room.

He smiles indulgently at me, the same expression I remember from when I was a child. “It’s fine. We’re just getting to know each other.”

Mom chuckles. “We know it’s more than that. Behave,” she chides him.

I glance at Jack, who grins, relaxed and obviously unaffected, and I’m relieved. “I think it’s time for us to get going.”

We say our goodbyes and are about to head out when a phone rings.

Mom pulls her cell out of her front pocket, swipes her finger, and answers the call. “Holls? What’s up?” She listens, then, “Your sister is right here. Hang on.” She extends her arm toward me, phone in hand. “Holly wants to talk to you.”

Since Chandler will be arrested and out of the picture we replaced my phone on the way to my parents, but I didn’t have a chance to let Holly know that. I put Mom’s phone to my ear. “Hi, Holly. What’s going on?”

“I left my ring at your house when I brought you clothes.”

I roll my eyes. “You took it off to wash your hands? You always forget to put it back on.” I shake my head and smile at how predictable she is with her habits.

“I had Starbucks and my hands got sticky.” She ignores my comment. “Any chance you can meet me there and we can hang out for a while? You were gone for three weeks and now you’re in hiding.”