Page 78 of Trapped and Tackled

“In Germany?” I wonder.

“London!” my sister exclaims.

“Oh wow! That’s amazing, Lincoln. Tell me about it.”

As my sister begins to fill me in on her life—her interviewing process, her new job, the guy she had two dates with—I relax further. The pieces of my life are starting to fall back into place and I’m discovering my new normal.

It’s even better than I thought.

When Lincoln and I hang up after an hour on the phone, I do so with a smile on my face.

Then, I spend a few hours working on debutante ball preparations since it’s quickly approaching. I do some market research for the wedding planning company I’d like to launch. Eventually.

I check my phone, pleased that there are no new text messages from Craig. Did he finally get the message? Is he putting us in his rearview mirror the same way I have?

A little after lunchtime, I bound down the steps. I need to head to the grocery store so I can buy some ingredients for tonight’s dinner—pasta alla Norma and a green salad.

“There you are!” Mom exclaims when she sees me. “What have you been up to today?”

“I talked to Linc.”

Mom beams. “I love hearing that.” She pulls some produce from the fridge and starts to chop vegetables. “We’re having a stir-fry for dinner.”

“Actually…” I bite my bottom lip and gesture toward the reusable canvas bags on the hook near the back door. “I’m cooking Talon dinner tonight.”

“You are?” Mom’s eyebrows rise. “What are you making?”

“Pasta alla Norma.”

“A great choice,” Mom says encouragingly.

“You’re not upset?” I lean forward, propping my elbows on the kitchen island and snatching up a slice of red pepper.

“About you and Talon? No.” Mom passes me another pepper slice and takes one for herself. She pauses in her chopping to regard me thoughtfully. “Leni, you came home a shell of yourself. The past few weeks, I’ve watched you find your way again. First, with the organizing committee. Then, with Marlowe. Now, with Talon. I know he has something bigger to do with you learning to trust yourself again. I also know there are things that you’ve chosen to keep to yourself about your relationship with Craig.” She sighs and snaps her pepper slice in half, dropping both pieces onto the cutting board. “I hate watching you suffer, baby girl. And I am here for whatever you need. If you want to talk, I won’t judge.”

“I know, Mama.”

“I’m just happy to see you happy again. And if that is because of Talon, how could I be upset? I’m grateful. I also know, from your dad and from my own interactions with him, that he’s a really good guy. I’ve known that for a while. Dad does too; he’ll come around.”

“Eventually,” I agree.

Mom smiles. “Need any help with your groceries?”

I tilt my chin toward the cutting board. “What about your stir-fry?”

She shrugs, pushing the cutting board farther onto the kitchen island. “It can wait. I’d rather be with you.”

“I’d like that, too.”

My mom reaches for her purse while I slip on some sandals and grab a few reusable bags. Then, we head out to her car, together, to go to the farmer’s market and grocery store.

It’s familiar and effortless. All the tension and fear I carried around my first few days at home has evaporated. Another missing piece snaps into place, and I feel an injection of lightness into my veins.

It’s pure sunshine.

Chapter 20

Talon

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