Page 31 of The Love We Make

“I don’t have to introduce every work colleague to my family. Do I know everyone you work with?”

“You do, as a matter of fact,” Jennifer says, and she’s right, but her start-up is small, and her co-workers are also her best friends.

“Well, yes, but that’s a completely different situation.”

“It’s okay, Jen,” Heather says. “Our time will come. We just have to be patient. We’ve been waiting twenty-odd years to meet Nora Levine and we’re closer than ever.”

“I hope it’s not that you’re afraid of us embarrassing you in front of Nora. Unlike Austin, we know how to behave,” Jennifer says.

“Speaking of. Did you see those pics your brother sent?”

“Don’t change the subject.” Heather fixes her gaze on the huge bouquet of lilies in the middle of the dining table. “What did you make for Nora, anyway? That must have been some meal if she sent you those after.”

Nora trying to kiss me last night was wholly unforeseen. Last time I saw her, she barely paid any attention to me. I can only blame it on the excellent wine I served.

“Here’s a change of subject for you,” Jennifer says. “Guess who I ran into the other day?”

“Of all the people in Los Angeles?” Heather tilts her head. “Can you narrow it down, please?”

“Cathy.” Jennifer’s done playing the guessing game already. “I went to Palmetto’s and there she was, having lunch with her girlfriend.”

“Did you talk to her?” Heather asks.

“Of course. I could hardly ignore her.”

“What did she say?” It’s always hard to get a word in edgeways when the twins are on a roll. It’s easier to just let them chat and get the information I want from listening to them.

“She asked how we all were.” Jen looks at me. “How Mom was. If you were seeing someone.”

“Is she doing well?” I ask.

“She looked like it. Her new girlfriend’s at least ten years younger than her, if not more.”

“Good for her.” Cathy and I separated almost two years ago. I can honestly say I just want the best for her now.

“When are you going to put yourself out there again, Mom?”

Maybe I should try one of those apps Imani mentioned. But it’s hard to think of that the morning after Nora Levine tried to kiss me. If it really was a drunken spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, I’m perfectly willing to banish it to the outskirts of my brain forever, but a small part of me would like to simply ask Nora about it in the sober and illuminating light of day. Maybe I should approach Imani and ask her what she thinks I should do.

“You can’t force these things.” I try to placate the girls so they don’t try to set me up with some of their friends’ ‘questioning’ mothers again.

“Of course you can,” Heather says. “I wouldn’t have two kids right now if I hadn’t forced things ten years ago.”

“But I already have you.” I rest my gaze on my beautiful girls. Just sitting here with them warms me to my core. Most days, it’s all I need. Although on other days, admittedly, I do crave a little romance in my life. Someone who makes me feel special. My gaze drifts to the flowers Nora sent. After the girls have left, I may give her a call—just to see how she’s doing. To make sure she’s not beating herself up on my account.

“Well, yes, we are the best children under the sun, but still…” Heather says.

“But still she won’t introduce us to Nora Levine,” Jennifer completes her sister’s sentence.

“It’s not just about what you want. Spare a thought for Nora. How she must feel when I ask her to come over to meet my kids.”

“She’s met Austin,” Heather says. “That spoiled brat always gets everything he wants just ‘cause he’s the youngest.”

“And because he’s a man.” Jennifer grins.

I shake my head. “I wish I could, but I’m not making any promises with regards to Nora. You’re just going to have to find a way to live with that great injustice in your lives.”

Jennifer purses her lips. “We’ll let you off the hook for now, but, um, did Nora give you any juicy tidbits from her life? She must have revealed something about herself while she was here?”

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