Page 68 of I Love a Good Challenge

True to her word, Lily agreed to meet my mom for the first time tonight—at my birthday celebration, of all days. We’re moving from kissing again to sharing birthdays. While it could be uncomfortable, given our fragile state as we move back into the realm of a romantic relationship, it feels like Lily should've always been by my side. Meeting my family is part of the script of our love story, and we finally get to move to the next scene together.

“You’ll get used to them,” I continue. “You’re used to dealing with all sorts of people at the café. If you can handle customer service, you can handle my mom. Fair warning: She’s going to want to adopt you.”

She looks at me as if she doesn’t quite believe what I’m saying but truly wants to. She smirks. “So, are you issuing any other challenges this evening?”

I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I challenge you to never leave my side.”

“For the duration of this dinner, you mean?” She swallows.

I decide to let her think that was my intention when, in truth, I meant forever. I quickly think to reassure her. “It’s just my mom and my uncle tonight, the two most important people in my life—not including Rafe, of course.”

Until you, I almost add. She hums her acknowledgment, the tone indicating that she’s aware of the addendums made since we were officially together. Because the most important person in my life used to be her. I want her to know she holds that place in my heart again, especially because it’s my birthday. I’m not sure if Lily remembers that I once told her my wish was for her to be with me for every birthday. It feels monumentally important that she’s with me today. It’s the first time my wish has come true.

I’m not a sentimental guy, except toward the people I love, but my birthday is another reminder of why I’m committed to being a man of my word and being known as a good man. While it’s wonderful to have the people we love show up at the major moments of our lives, we also feel and sense the ones who should be there but aren’t. That’s a different kind of grief. Every year, I’m grateful for my mom while also seeing a missing space that should be reserved for my dad, which has been empty since I was eleven years old. Having Lily tucked into my side feels like someone long absent from my life making their way back to me.

“S’mores!”

I hear her joyful voice before I see her. I cringe a bit at the nickname, but I can’t be too upset when I see Lily’s delight. Turning, I see my mother and my uncle descending upon us, my mother’s eyes already lighting up at the sight of Lily. My mother is hesitant—cautious, even—but the joy in her face shines brighter than her hesitation. My uncle is already looking at us like we’re one of his construction projects. He’s searching for the soft spots that could need some reinforcement. He knows what happened between Lily and me two years ago, so it’s only natural for him to be surprised that we’re here together.

I take charge of the introductions right away. “Lily, this is my Uncle John and my mother, Wendy.”

“So nice to meet you, Uncle John, and you, Mrs. Winnings,” Lily says with a sincere grin, stretching out her slender hand. She does a double-take and studies my mom’s face, taking in the long, grey braid draping over her shoulder. “Wait—you’re Mrs. Winnings?”

“Oh, please, call me Wendy,” my mother protests immediately with a soft smile.

“You know each other?” I ask as a fresh layer of nerves works through my system.

“Uhh—yes,” Lily starts. “Well, she’s been to the café. You’re the woman who told Rafe to ask Sparrow out last year, aren’t you?”

“Good memory. Great croissants, by the way. But I think you’d be more interested to know that I especially loved the pain au chocolat.”

“Thank you! They happen to be my favorite as well.” Lily’s full smile breaks out across her face.

Five seconds later, her eyes take on a devious sheen, and my stomach drops at the sight. Knowing Lily, she came ready to play and find any opportunity to tease me. Meanwhile, I’m still reeling from the discovery that the two most important women in my life have any sort of history at all.

Lily flashes me a pointed glance. “Wendy, I have it on good authority that you have some incriminating evidence on this gentleman beside me. I’m going to need to hear it as soon as possible. Never mind that he’s your son. And Uncle John, if you have anything to add, please do. It’s my mission in life to take him down a few pegs.”

My mother has the audacity to look delighted. She laughs. “Well, what would you like to know, dear? I can tell you a story about the time, as a little boy, when he walked around in nothing but his tiny white underwear and cowboy boots. Or perhaps you could use the story about his unusual habit of lining up his stuffed animals and toy soldiers like they were in a court of law and he was the judge?”

I’m already mortified, my mouth dropping open at how quickly I was demolished by my own dear mother. Lily’s laughter is loud and unrestrained.

“I already love this woman,” she says, wiping the edges of her eyes. “You’re my hero.” She turns from me to face my mother, and I can’t argue with that statement.

“Mine too.” I give my mother a look, and the look she sends me in reply lets me know she’s happy, which is good. I must be showing signs of healing, because she’s not looking at me with as much worry as she’s shown the last two years.

I try to hustle our little group along before my mother blurts out any more embarrassing childhood anecdotes. “Well, let’s go. I made reservations.”

We walk around the corner toward the outskirts of the city, where a charming row of shops and restaurants hugs the edge of the port. The view is a glimpse of a calm bit of ocean meeting a brigade of small boats. A bridge rises in the distance.

The evening is unseasonably warm for late spring. My mother and Lily brought jackets, so we agree to sit outside, the setting sun pleasant as the hostess leads us to our seats.

We peruse the menu and place our orders. I wrap my arm around Lily and revel in the way she responds by leaning into my side. I realize how much more relaxed she is outside of Birch Borough, an attractive glimmer of freedom and fun gracing her face, her laughter quick, and her hand warm intertwined with mine. While I wish things were the same all the time, it’s nice to get a glimpse of this hope of what we could be again.

“Okay, please do tell me more.” Lily leans toward my mother, her head propped on one hand as if she has all the time in the world to uncover incriminating evidence that I’m a flawed human being as well.

“Well, I’ll just say, dear, that Graham has certainly had his moments. But he’s always lived with such conviction, intent on making the best choices. He’s made mistakes, to be sure, but when he put his mind to something as a young man, there was no way you would ever talk him out of his resolve. His stubbornness was almost to a fault.”

Lily stiffens beside me. When a faint memory of telling her, “I choose you,” on a studio tour in Burbank surfaces, I want to hide under the table. I’m not ashamed of saying the words, but I am getting tired of the looks of pity on people’s faces, particularly people who know our history. Looks like the one I’m currently getting from my uncle.

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