Page 65 of The Love We Make

“Is she okay?” Those damn butterflies flutter in my stomach again.

“She’s a bit embarrassed, I guess, but otherwise, she’s fine.” He sends me a gentle smile. “Our girl’s a tough nut to crack. It’s all well and good when you’re a gay man like myself, with no romantic designs on her whatsoever.” He sighs. “She’s not going to change just because she has feelings for you she doesn’t know what to do with, but I promise you, Mimi, she’s so worth it. Even though she’s convinced she’s not, and that’s by far her biggest issue. That’s my promise to you and something I want you to remember when things get a little dicey, because they will. Nora’s her own worst enemy and she just can’t help herself.”

“You obviously love her very much.” Juan’s plea is so heartfelt, you’d think he was begging me to take Nora back after an actual break-up.

“Love her? She’s like my sister. She’s my family. She might as well be my blood.” He glances at me. “Do you? Love her?” His voice is soft and sweet, but his question is clear.

“I like her a lot and I’m taking my chances with her. But, um, she’s not straightforward, is she? She’s a challenge, but one I can handle.” At least I think I can. Any doubts I express to Juan will probably go straight to Nora’s ear, so I have to watch what I say.

“For the record, she likes you a lot as well. You could be so good for her, Mimi. You could be exactly what she needs.”

“We’ll see.”

“You’re seeing her tonight, aren’t you?” Juan asks.

“Who are you seeing?” I got so caught up in listening to what Juan had to say about Nora, I didn’t hear Heather walk up.

“Nora,” I say truthfully. We’re friends. It’s perfectly plausible for Nora and me to spend time together.

Still, Heather’s eyes go wide. “Is she coming to the house?”

“No, darling.” I make a mental note to not invite Nora here until I’ve told all my children. They have a habit of dropping by at the most awkward moments. “I’m going to hers.”

“Lucky you.” Heather pulls up a stool and sits with us. “Are you and Austin also going?” she asks Juan.

“Austin and I have much better plans.” Juan waggles his eyebrows.

“Oh, god. Way to make me sorry I asked.” Heather chuckles. “I was going to ask if you could take the boys tonight, Mom, but I don’t want to foist those mini gangsters onto Nora Levine.”

“Austin and I can babysit,” Juan is quick to say. Maybe he’s worried I’d say yes to taking Wyatt and Lucas over to Nora’s.

“Really? After what you just said about your plans for tonight?” Heather doesn’t sound convinced.

“It’s not because we’re gay that we don’t know how to behave.” Juan straightens his spine and pretends to be greatly offended.

“Austinusedto babysit his nephews all the time, for your information,” Heather says. “Until a certain man came along and monopolized all his time.”

Juan nods, then calls for Austin. “We’re babysitting your nephews tonight, babe,” he says.

* * *

When I meet her that evening, Nora looks like a different person. Well rested and as upbeat as I’ve seen her. Not a hint of Sunday evening blues about her.

She asks me about my weekend, and I regale her with some tales about my family.

“Heather got Juan to babysit her kids,” Nora says, reminding me of her close connection with Juan. “That’s a first for him. If I were Heather, I’d pick Imani as a babysitter over Juan any day of the week.”

“The boys are crazy about their Uncle Austin and the feeling’s entirely mutual, so I’m sure everyone will be all right.”

“I’ll let you know how Juan survived the night.” Nora smiles. “They do seem to be getting awfully serious. Juan’s quite involved with your family. That’s usually not his thing.”

“There must be something about my family.” I look into Nora’s eyes. They sparkle as though she’s hiding some great mischief. “That keeps both Juan and you coming back for more.”

“There’s certainly something about you.” Nora reaches out her hand and I take it. “I’m sorry about last Friday. I was shattered. I always am after a week of shooting.” She narrows her eyes. “And that for the younger party in this… affair.”

“I have a lot of experience with actors. I don’t take what you do for granted even a little bit, Nora. You don’t have to apologize for being tired. I get it.”

“Is there anything you don’t get?” she asks.

---