Page 142 of This Could Be Us

I paired dark, wide-legged denim slacks with a simple white shirt embroidered with tiny orange and pink flowers. I got a blowout, and my hair hangs straight almost to my elbows.

“Thank you.” I check to make sure my gold hoops are still there anddidn’t fall out while I was finishing the meal. “Guess it’ll be time to cut our hair soon and donate, huh?”

A dark cloud passes over her face and my heart sinks. The news for Cora hasn’t been good lately. She’s in the hospital with an infection.

“Me and Deja are taking Lindee to the mall tomorrow to get her mind off everything,” Lupe says, her voice subdued.

“You’re a good friend, Lu.”

“Learned from the best,” she says, smiling and carrying the dish to the dining room.

“Can I help too?” Lottie bounces into the kitchen still wearing her practice leotard from gymnastics.

“You could change your clothes,” I say, pulling the oven-fried chicken out and setting it on the stove. “You smell like floor exercise.”

She sniffs under her arm. “Are you sure it’s—”

“Yes, baby. It’s you. Please take the fastest shower of your life. They’ll be here soon.”

She turns to leave but pauses at the door. “So Judah Cross is your boyfriend, right? That’s what we’re saying.”

I pause, turn to face her, and prop my bottom against the kitchen counter. “Um, well, yeah. We’re… we’re dating.”

I don’t ask her if that’s okay or if she has a problem with it. I love my girls, and they have been the center of my life since the day they were born, but they also deserve a happy mother. I’m happy with myself, yes, but I’m also happy with Judah. They’ll leave one day, sooner than I want, and I’m not deferring my best life for anyone anymore.

A slow smile builds on her face. “That’s cool, Mom.”

Even with the resolve that I’ll be happy with or without her approval, having it makes me feel so pleased. I step forward to whack her bottom with a dish towel. She squeals, covering her butt with both hands and rushing toward the stairs.

“Get your little musty self up to that shower.” I wrinkle my nose, laughing.

I set the chicken on the dining room table and tell Lupe to goupstairs and change since she’s wearing booty shorts and some tiny top that should have been retired or passed on to a younger sibling years ago. I take the next twenty minutes making sure the table is ready.

“Everything looks good,” Inez says from the arched entrance to the dining room.

I turn to consider her, schooling my face into a neutral expression. Lupe and Lottie have taken the situation with Judah in stride, but Inez and I have, seemingly by silent mutual agreement, not discussed it much at all.

“Thanks.” I set rolls on the table and cover them with a tea towel. “I made your fave fried chicken.”

“The one you cook in the oven?” she asks, taking a tentative step into the room.

“Yup.” I walk back into the kitchen and grab the mac and cheese. “This is one of the few things Adam and Aaron actually like. They’re kinda picky eaters.”

“He’s been okay?” she asks. “Adam, I mean? He’s on north campus, so I don’t see him much, but I heard he’s back at school and seems to be better.”

“Yeah. He’s doing great.” I smile and nod to the refrigerator. “Could you grab that pitcher of lemonade for me?”

“Sure.” She walks to the fridge, grabs the pitcher, but doesn’t move. “I just wanted to say…”

I brace for whatever criticism she has to level at me. Let’s get this over with before Judah and his family arrive. We stare at each other, my own dark eyes blinking back at me from a face so much like mine, so much like my mother’s, that my heart softens.

“What is it, baby?” I ask, setting the mac and cheese on the counter while I wait.

“I’m sorry I was such a jerk.”

The wording makes me smile. “Is your sister making you apologize, by any chance?”

Her mouth loosens into a grin. “Lupe did threaten me with bodilyharm if I screw things up for you tonight, yeah, but I was gonna apologize anyway. I just… I still miss Dad.”

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