Page 21 of Masquerade Mistake

No, because of our son.

“I just never would have guessed this.” I run my finger along the rim of my empty glass before looking back at Nina. “Look, please don’t tell Ethan I have a son.”

Nina’s eyes narrow, but I shake my head before she can speak.

“I’m going to tell him. He deserves to know what he’s getting into before we go any further, but I think it needs to come from me.”

Nina continues to eye me, but then her face relaxes into an eyeroll. “I’m not going to tell him, so chill. We’re close, but he lives his life and I live mine. Besides, it was my idea to connect the two of you. I’m tired of him dating the same girl over and over again.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“You know…tall, beautiful girls that could pass as models.”

“Wow. Thanks.”

“Not that you’re not pretty,” she continues, but the grin on her face shows she’s not the least bit sorry. “It’s just that fashion isn’t your strong suit.”

I look down at my yoga pants and sweatshirt, then back at her.

“Fine. So, why me?”

“Because the girls he picks have nothing going for them but their looks. They’re pretty, but nothing to get attached to. It’s why he picks them. He doesn’t want to fall in love. But you’re different. When you come in here, it’s to read a book or work on a project. I never see you zoned out on your phone or trying to get attention.”

I know that’s another slam at my outfit of choice, or maybe even the messy bun piled on the top of my head, but I don’t interrupt. This is, so far, the nicest thing she’s ever said to me.

“I’m tired of Ethan pushing people away because he’s afraid of rejection. He’s never going to get over the loss of his dad until he lets other people in, and I have a hunch you’re the person that can do it. The fact that you have a kid makes it even more perfect. So, no, I’m not going to go running my mouth.” Nina picks up her empty plate and stands. She turns to leave, but then looks at me over her shoulder. “Whatever you do, don’t sabotage a good thing with him. Ethan is the best guy there is out there, and if you hurt him, I’ll slip laxatives in your coffee.”

I don’t stick around once she’s gone. The cafe isn’t any less crowded, and I still have a few more things I want to do before Finn gets home. But Nina’s words stick with me, mostly how different I am than the girls Ethan usually dates. If that’s the case, why is he still interested? Or maybe this is just a game to him. Could he be luring me in only to toss me aside when things start feeling more serious?

Last night’s date was incredible. It felt like we really connected, even when I was determined that we wouldn’t. But I have nothing to compare it to. If Ethan is a player and I’m just this week’s token girl, I won’t even know the signs to look for.

I have my secrets, and I realize now that I’m not the only one.

Chapter 9

The yellow school bus slows to a stop in front of the house, and I watch from the window as Finn hops down the steps and runs up the walkway. I’m still buzzing from my informative coffee date with Nina, and after spending the rest of the afternoon cooped up in my office, I think a little sunshine might do Finn and me good. Besides, Maren gets off work soon and I know she’s dying to find out what Nina said.

Finn bursts through the door, a huge grin on his face. “Mom! Guess what?”

“What?” I envelop him in a hug and kiss his sweaty hair. He pushes back, then slips his backpack off his shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.

“I got to be kickball captain today and I picked all the best players, and our team kicked the other team’s butt!”

“That’s great, Finn! Can you pick your backpack up and put it in the corner? Do you have any homework?”

He rolls his eyes as he shakes his head, then he kicks his backpack until it’s in the corner. He also kicks his shoes off, but those he leaves in the middle of the floor.

“Don’t get too comfy,” I say. “We’re heading out in a few.”

“Aw, Mom. Where?”

“To the store,” I say, then try to hide my smile when he collapses in a whining heap. “I’m kidding. We’re meeting Maren at the park.”

He perks up, even though I’m sure his heart was set on parking himself in front of the TV. With any luck some of his friends will be there, giving Maren and me the privacy we need.

Finn puts his shoes back on while I pack some snacks and juice boxes. He beats me out the door, and I balance all our things as I lock up.

On the way, Finn fills the car with stories about today. How the teacher gave them ten extra minutes of recess. How Brie took five bathroom breaks before lunch. How Jace traded him a pack of Oreos for his chips. I let him go on, knowing full well that one day he won’t be so enthusiastic about talking with me. My mind wanders as he’s talking, recalling times in the car with my own mom and how there was something magic about that space. She called it “The Car of Secrets,” where we could talk about anything and everything. Really, it was about having my mom all to myself. No distractions. None of her boyfriends. Just me and her, talking as if this were something we did all the time. The spell would break once we left the car, and we’d go back to living our fractured relationship. But in those moments between Point A and Point B, my mom was my friend, and everything felt right with the world.

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