“I don’t know if that relationship can ever be repaired,” Sylvie admits, her voice soft.
The look Mom sends me tells me she wishes she would’ve never opened her mouth and asked that question.
Yeah. I feel the same way.
“Well, tell me more about you and Spencer!” Mom says brightly, not realizing she’s opening another can of worms. “You two make such a nice couple.”
“It’s more than that.” I decide to be forthright. “I’m in love with her, Ma.”
She blinks at me. I’ve never brought a girl around before, and definitely never said I was in love with any of them either. “I guess you two aren’t wasting any time then?”
“We’ve wasted enough time already.” I slide my arm around Sylvie’s shoulders, tugging her close to my side. “We’re living together.”
“Oh.” Mom blinks some more. “Well, that’s certainly your business, though you know how I feel about that sort of thing.”
I try not to roll my eyes because come on. She’s really not that old fashioned. “Don’t worry. I’m going to make everything right between us eventually.”
“And you’re in love with Spencer?” Mom asks Sylvie.
That is still a sensitive subject with her, confessing her feelings. I get it. She’s used to living in a house where people didn’t sayI love youon a constant basis.
I didn’t much either, but when it comes to this woman, I’m afraid I want to declare my love for her almost too much.
“Mom—”
“I can answer for myself,” Sylvie interrupts, sending me a serene smile before turning it onto my mother. “I ammadlyin love with him, Mrs. Donato. I’ve been in love with him for years, though to be perfectly honest with you, I married someone else a couple of years ago.”
Well shit. Leave it to Sylvie to throw everything out on the table, so to speak.
“You’ve already been married?” Mom’s voice squeaks.
Sylvie nods. “Yes. It was a major mistake though. I was young, and I was sort of—forced into the matter. Plus, he was so much older than me, and unfortunately, he died a little over a year after we were married. Thank goodness Spencer and I reconnected though. My feelings for him have never faded.”
“Oh. Well. Yes, that’s so nice,” Mom says faintly. I can tell from the dazed look on her face that her mind is trying to process everything Sylvie just told her. “If Spencer is bringing you here to meet me, then he must be very serious about you. And I’m happy for you bo—”
The oven timer sounds, snapping Mom into go-mode.
“Lasagna’s done,” I tell her.
“And I still haven’t finished prepping the salad.” Mom rushes to the oven, turning off the timer and opening the door to peek inside. “I should let it rest for a few minutes anyway. It’s going to be piping hot.”
Mom bustles around the kitchen, refusing our help and I offer to show Sylvie my bedroom, which is really a replica of the one I used to have in our old apartment. Mom moved everything over and kept my room almost exactly how I left it when I moved out a few years ago. Like it’s a museum piece or something.
“I’d love to see it,” Sylvie says, relief shining in her eyes.
The moment we’re walking down the hall headed for my bedroom, Sylvie is tugging on my hand, urging me to stop.
“You okay?” I ask her.
“Do you think she likes me?” Sylvie chews on her lower lip. “I probably shouldn’t have told her about Earl.”
“I think it was the right move. She would’ve found out eventually.” I pull her in close, pressing a kiss on her forehead. “She likes you.”
“We barely talked. I just—I’m so nervous.” She slumps against the wall, like she needs it to hold her up. “I’ve never met a mother before.”
“I know.”
“It’s nerve-wracking. She seems nice, but I just want her approval. I want her happy with her son’s choice. You’re her only son. This is kind of a big deal.”