Page 86 of More Than a Spark

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The next morning,Jeremy and Ryder made the house a big breakfast of eggs, sausage, and my favorite cinnamon toast while I sat with Cash on the sectional, drinking coffee. Silas had already left for one of his animal rescue jobs.

Cash held his coffee with two hands and sipped it. “So, I texted you the number for Mia’s therapist. Did you see it?”

“Oh, no.” I plucked my phone off the coffee table and opened my text messages. I had a few unread ones. After scanning over the text from Cash, I tapped open a message from Mom.

Mom

Hey, long time no hear. How are things? Have you had any more thoughts about jobs?

I shifted up on my cushion, my pulse quickening. “Shit.” Did Ryder really need to come out to her, or could I just tell her about us?

“What?” Cash peered at my phone.

“My mom texted, and I haven’t told her about Ryder yet.” I rolled my lips. I needed to tell her. This was too important.

Cash snapped his brows up. “I would have thought you’d have told her first. Aren’t you two close? I mean, you’re an only child.”

“I know. I feel bad I haven’t talked to her.” I sipped my coffee, rereading her text. With a sigh, I set the phone down. I should call her, but maybe not now.

Ryder, spatula in hand, strolled to stand at the back of the couch. “Okay, you two. I heard my name. What are you talking about?”

My attention drew to him. “My mom texted. Should we call her after breakfast?” Or would he want to do this in person over a meal, like he’d said last night?

With a tick of his head, he said, “See if she has lunch plans.” He walked to the kitchen. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen her.”

“Okay then.” I guessed we were having another coming out over a meal. The only one left would be Dad, but I didn’t care if he knew or not. He’d only have some snide comment for us anyways. With a sigh, I texted Mom.

Milo

Hey, are you open for lunch today? Me and Ryder would like to see you. He got that job down here and he moved to Tempe.

Mom

Oh, that’s great. For you two, I’m always open. When and where?

Tapping my lips, I thought a minute. She was in Phoenix and loved wine. We’d go to her favorite wine bar.

Milo

How about the Postinos by you at one?

Mom

Perfect. See you soon.

I flung my arm over the back of the couch, twisting to face to the kitchen. “Ryder. We’re meeting my mom at one at the Postinos over by her.” At least with this meal, it would be easy, and we could be ourselves.

“That’s great, Milo.” Ryder plated some eggs. “Breakfast is ready.” With a wide grin, he bumped elbows with Jeremy, standing next to him and turning sausages in a frying pan.

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We pulledinto the parking lot of the Postinos in the Arcadia district of Phoenix, not far from where Dad’s restaurant was and where I grew up. My gaze took in the modern, squat building with yellow umbrellas shielding the tables on the patio from the intense sun, while misters sprayed at the roofline. Would anyone be out there this time of year? It was still getting up to one hundred degrees in the afternoon.

As I climbed out of Ryder’s truck, my gaze caught on Mom, closing the door on her white Infinity sedan. “Mom.” I waved at her, then pulled my pink shirt over my black board shorts.

“Hi, Milo.” With a smile and a wave, she strolled to us, her black purse dangling from one shoulder and her brown highlighted hair pulled into a ponytail. Large sunglasses shielded her eyes, and a grey sleeveless blouse and white shorts covered her slim frame.

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