Page 35 of Finding Wonderland

Vera nervously chuckled as she felt her cheeks blush. “No, she doesn’t.”

“I didn’t think so.”

“She’s not subtle.”

“She’s not, but I’m glad we got to have dinner,” Isla paused, licking her lower lip, “together.”

“Me, too.”

“So, tell me about your family.”

Vera inhaled sharply and sighed at the abrupt change in topic. “Well, there’s me and Walker, and then we have another sister, Lena, in the middle.”

“Big age differences.”

“Oh yeah.”

“Did your parents not want kids close together?”

“Well,” Vera laughed, “we actually have three different dads and none of us have any contact with them. My mom isn’t one for relationships. With men or her kids. We all came from one-night stands on business trips, I think. As far as I know, at least. I am the product of a real estate marketing conference in Ohio.”

“Oh, wow.” It was obvious that Isla wanted to laugh but wasn’t going to out of respect. But Vera waved her off.

“You can laugh, it’s okay.”

“I’m not laughing,” she said with a laugh and quickly covered her mouth while she composed herself. “It’s just I can’t imagine you with a mom like that. Is that weird to say?”

“Honestly, I can’t imagine myself with a mom like that.”

“I mean that you’re so good with Mason and Walker and you’re so sweet. I just assumed you had really loving parents and a great home life.”

“Don’t get me wrong, my mom did the best she could.”

“I’m sure.”

“But she wasn’t meant to be a mom. Not like some people are.” Vera rubbed her thumb over the back of Isla’s hand. “Like you.”

“Thank you. And I know you’ll be a great mom, too.”

“I hope so.” Her eyes locked with Isla’s. “One day.”

“One day,” Isla repeated.

“So, tell me about your family.”

Isla smiled sadly. “My parents aren’t in my life anymore, but that’s my choice and I don’t regret it. I have three sisters and a brother, but I’m only in contact with two of my sisters, Nora and Eden.”

There was definitely more to the story than Isla was saying, but Vera didn’t dare ask Isla questions she might not be willing to answer.

“Nora has a daughter about Mason’s age and Eden is fifteen and lives with Nora in New York City.” If only for a second, Isla’s smile was happy, which made Vera happy. But as soon as it appeared, it seemed to fade away. “Anyway, I met Blake and Mason’s father when I was sixteen. He was an altar boy in our church. Everyone told us we’d get married, but I never loved him like that. But then I got pregnant at eighteen, and well,” she sighed, “here we are.”

Vera gave her a moment to see if she would continue, which she did.

“I had big plans, you know?”

“I’m sure.”

“I was going to be on Broadway. I had a gig and everything.”

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