Page 24 of The Love We Make

“It’s what I prefer to imagine when I think of the two of them on a weekend away.”

I chuckle. “Right. I get it.” I pause. “I need to check with Imani.” Maybe it will save her from another lonely night on her couch with a tub of ice cream, although that was probably greatly exaggerated. Imani’s not the type to stay in and sulk like that.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Great.”

Did I just say yes? “Um, yeah. Okay,” I stammer. “It’s a small thing, right?” I ask, to be absolutely sure.

“Just the people I mentioned. You have my word.” There’s not a hint of irony in Mimi’s tone, which I appreciate.

“Okay. I’ll let you know about Imani soon.”

“I look forward to seeing you again, Nora.” There’s so much warmth in Mimi’s voice. It makes me want to hear it again. That’s probably why I said yes before I even thought I might.

* * *

“I don’t mean to be indiscreet,” Mimi says, while she pours wine for everyone but herself. “But it’s been weeks since I was promised the story of how you two met.” She pins her gaze on Stella, then on Kate. “It’s about time someone told me.”

“Is that why you invited us?” Stella says. “To find that out?”

Kate shifts her weight in her chair. This all happened years ago, before we started makingUnbreak My Heart, but it’s the sort of thing, I suspect, that will always make her uncomfortable.

“Of course not.” Mimi sits and expertly folds one leg over the other. I would never wear a tight skirt like that of my own volition, but for some reason, the characters I play tend to dress in them. “I just wanted the pleasure of your company.”

“Kate used to be married to my brother,” Stella says.

Imani and I know what the deal is, of course, but it’s always fun to watch someone’s first reaction to this juicy nugget of information.

“Excuse me?” Mimi’s head bobs forward a bit, as though she didn’t quite catch that.

“It’s not as salacious as it sounds,” Kate says. “My marriage to Kevin was basically over, but yeah. There’s no two ways about it. We fell in love while I was still married to Stella’s brother.”

For the first time since I met her, Mimi seems stumped for words. Maybe she’s trying to imagine what something like that would do to her own brood of children.

“Wow.” This kind of thing will test the limits of anyone’s open-mindedness.

“You asked, Mimi,” I say, just to take the heat off Stella for a bit. Although Kate and Stella can take it. They’re like this perfect dream couple—like an ad for falling in love, if that’s what you’re into.

“I know. My curiosity got the better of me. I just, um, wasn’t expecting that for an answer. I won’t pry any further, but, if you don’t mind me asking, how are things in your family? How did your parents take this news?”

I’ve met Stella’s mother, acclaimed architect Mary Flack, a few times. She doesn’t seem to adore her daughter any less for running off with her son’s wife.

“It’s only my mom and my brother, who has a new wife and a bunch of kids now as well,” Stella says. “Kevin lives in Washington DC. And my mom…” Stella swallows. “My mom is like the superstar of moms.”

“Mary Flack. Of course.” Mimi seems genuinely discombobulated. “I love her work.”

“Stella used to be Mary Flack’s daughter, but now Mary’s known more as Stella’s mother,” Kate says proudly.

Imani and I exchange a glance. I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my own mother, even though she is, by far, a much better person than Imani’s mother ever was.

“To family then.” Mimi raises her glass of water.

I glance at Imani again, to see what she’ll do. I would never in a million years ask my friends to toast to their families, but that’s the thing about spending time with people you don’t know very well. It’s an emotional and psychological minefield. But if anyone can take it, it’s my beautiful friend Imani. She half-raises her glass and pretends. Either way, a toast to Mary Flack is never a wasted one. I enjoy Mary’s company whenever I see her.

“Mom has Nathan now, so.” Stella grins. “When they first started dating, I thought he was just a gold-digging toyboy, but people really can surprise you. He’s a bit too young for me to call him stepdad, but he’s my go-to guy for anything I can’t talk to my mom about.”

“How much younger is he?” Mimi asks.

“He’s barely a year older than me,” Stella says. “I used to be such a brat about that. I couldn’t cope with Mom bringing this much younger guy into our house. But then I got to know him, and he was really there for everyone when the shit hit the fan. He’s just a good, stand-up guy. I should have trusted Mom to make the right choice. But it’s all good now. Surprisingly, we’re just one big happy family. And Nathan loves babysitting, so.”

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