Page 134 of Strictly the Worst

“I’m so sorry.” Her face crumples. “I was wrong. I made assumptions I shouldn’t have made about you.”

I feel my back stiffen. I know what those assumptions were.

“Did you know he’s never brought somebody to meet us before?” Deandra asks. “You’re the first. That’s why I knew how important you are to him. And as his mother, that’s scary.”

“He’s a grown man,” I tell her.

“I know he is. But he’s also my son.” Her eyes catch mine. “How do you think you will feel when your daughter brings somebody home?”

I let out a breath. “Happy, I hope. That she’s found somebody who makes her smile.” I pull my lip between my teeth. “And worried, too,” I add, because I’m trying to be honest here.

“I wish I’d shown you that I was happy. Because I am. Linc deserves to be happy.”

My eyes catch hers again. “He is happy,” I tell her. “I care a lot about your son.”

For a moment there’s a crack in her mask. She blinks, the hint of a smile on her lips. She nods slowly. “I can tell that. And I’m so sorry that I doubted that. I’m sorry I hurt you both.”

“Apology accepted.” It’s the truth. I’m not angry at her. I wouldn’t have done what she did, but I understand her overreaction. I’ll give her another chance to show me that she isn’t that person.

The server brings over my coffee, along with a little jug of cream and a pot of sugar. “Are you ready to order breakfast?” the server asks.

“Just an omelet for me,” Deandra says.

“I’ll have the same.” Not that I feel like eating.

As soon as the server leaves, Deandra looks at me again. “Linc said he told you what happened when he was younger.”

“The way he found you?” I ask her. “Yes, he did. He still has nightmares.”

She blanches and I have to admit, I don’t feel sorry for her.

“You should never have put that kind of burden on him. To keep a secret like that. He was just a child.”

Deandra nods, her expression tight. “I know. I regret it. I don’t want to keep it a secret anymore.”

“Good.” I nod. “But maybe you need to speak to Linc first. He should decide what happens next.”

She blinks as she looks at me. “You’re right. I will. But before I do, I feel that I need to explain to you. What I did to him. What I tried to do… I regret. So much. The things I put him through. I never want him to feel pain like that again.”

I think of Zoe. The way she cried every night after Jared left. “That’s understandable,” I say. “But almost impossible.”

“I was afraid that you would hurt him. He’s always so easy going. So happy. I’ve never seen him like this before.”

“Like what?” I ask, confused.

“In love.”

That stops me in my tracks. She’s not smiling but she’s not frowning either. More than anything, she looks scared.

“Love is good, isn’t it?”

“Until it hurts.”

Oh. “Yes.” I nod. “Until it hurts. But even then, it’s still worth it.” I truly believe that. After all my fears yesterday, falling asleep in Linc’s arms made everything so much better. He makes me feel safe. Loved.

“Do you think your relationship with your ex-husband was worth the pain?” she asks, looking genuinely interested.

And I guess I could tell her it’s none of her business. Because it isn’t. But there’s a thaw here. Something fragile that could come tumbling down at any minute.

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