page65 (2/2)

I nod “I know”

She leans in closer toit a secret you’re seeing soh to come over and check on you, then let you sleep while he babysits Avery”

“Mo into the bathroo to bring his out ourselves and—”

“I get it,” she cuts in over uess ever keeping anything fro deal And, well, what could your uidance and—”

“Okay,” I exclaihly chastised, Mom”

She snickers and turns back to the bath, dipping her hand in to swirl the bubbles and test the temperature She then dries her hands off and faces hs “I just want you to be happy, sweet girl And well… I know a little so a second chance at love”

I feel as if I’ve been slapped, but in an I-totally-need-it kind of way It’s a revelation to realize h with Malik I mean, not the sale ain Granted, not with a coworker as intimately associated with her husband, but still… she understands the co on from one love into possibly another

My expression turns to one of pathetic apology, and she holds her arms out to me I shuffle into them, then drop my forehead to her shoulder as she wraps me up in her embrace “I’hter”

“You’re an exceptional daughter,” she replies softly, a hand going to the back of my head to holdor two from time to time”

We both laugh, and things are fine between us again

Eventually, she pushes me back and eyeballs et in the tub I’er ale for you,to co to tell le detail about how you two fell for each other You’re not going to begrudge me one detail of it, either”

“Yes,off a salute to her

“Here’s the ginger ale,” we hear from behind us, and we both jump at Malik’s voice He stands just on the other side of the bathroo soda and a ht have been eavesdropping He then sends an especially sly smirk at my mom and adds, “And she came on to me first Don’t let her tell you otherwise”