Page 70 of Surprised By Her

She filled it up with ice and put the top on.

“I’m going to make so much dip in this,” Mama said, pulling the bowls out of the box.

“Good job,” I whispered to Ryan.

“Thanks,” she whispered back.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, the present made me forget my manners,” Mama said. “Ryan, would you like some coffee or tea? I also have snacks.” She started pulling things out of cupboards in a frenzy.

“Coffee would be great,” Ryan said, looking at me.

“Coming right up,” Mom said. “Please, sit down.”

Ryan and I sat at the table in the breakfast nook. Ryan took up a lot of room, but I liked seeing her in my house.

“Any cream or sugar for your coffee, Ryan?” Mom asked as Mama fluttered around, making up a snack plate whether anyone wanted it or not.

“Black is fine,” she said, and Mom brought it over to her.

“Thank you,” Ryan said, taking it.

“Of course,” Mom said. “Sweetie, anything for you?”

“Some tea, please. Ginger,” I said.

Mom made the tea and Mama brought over a smorgasbord of things.

“This really is too much,” Ryan said, her cheeks going pink.

“We love having guests,” Mama said, beaming. “Next time I’ll make you some dip and you can tell me which one you like best.”

Ryan looked like she was going to protest, and I squeezed her shoulder as Mom set my tea on the table.

“Just let it happen,” I said. “It’s easier to just let it happen.”

Ryan looked at me with a bewildered look on her face. Something told me her mother had never made her a snack plate. The nanny had probably done that. One of the nannies. Not that it was a bad thing, because Layne was a nanny and the kids she looked after loved her. They also had two parents who would drop anything for them, though, and who celebrated their accomplishments. And bought them flowers.

Ryan sipped her coffee and for the first time I could see she was nervous.

“Everly said you’re visiting for the summer?” Mama asked, sitting with Mom across the table from us.

Ryan nodded and I nudged her under the table to elaborate. I was the one with diagnosed social anxiety, not her.

“Yes, I’m visiting family,” she said. Okay, that wasn’t great, but she was getting somewhere.

“She’s staying in the most gorgeous house,” I said. “It’s off Black Bear Lane, down a private road.”

“Oh, I know that place. It’s gorgeous,” Mama said. “Not a bad house to spend your summer in.”

“No, it’s not,” Ryan said. “I tried to find another rental, but this place is owned by a friend of my parents.”

That made sense. She hadn’t told me that.

“You know, if you’re looking to go somewhere different, I would be more than happy to show you what we have, in all price ranges.”

“Mama! Are you pitching her?” I asked.

“Of course not, I was just offering,” she said, and Ryan looked back and forth between us.

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