Page 87 of More Than a Spark

As she reached us, Ryder held his arm out. “Hey, Bonnie. It’s good to see you.” He hugged her into his side and kissed her head.

She patted his stomach. “It’s always good to see you, Ryder.” Her breath caught and she grabbed his hand, examining the bandage on his forearm. “What’s this?”

With a soft chuckle, he said, “Oh, work related injury. It’s fine, just a few stitches.”

“You need to be more careful.” She wagged her finger at him.

My heart fluttered with warmth. He’d always been closer to my mother than his own. I walked to her and kissed her cheek, then gave her a quick hug.

Grabbing my hands, she held me in front of her and looked me up and down. “You seem different. What’s up?” She narrowed her eyes, then glanced at Ryder. “So do you. You’re both radiant.” She freed me and chuckled. “And it’s not the sun.”

God damn, she just looked at us and knew what was going on? Kicking at a pebble with my sneaker, I said, “We’ll talk when we get a table.” I side eyed her. Would she wait?

“Okay, let’s go.” She hooked one arm in mine and the other in Ryders. “I have a feeling this is going to be good.”

We strolled into the restaurant, met up with a hostess, then were seated in a corner booth of the dark wine bar. I perused the place, couples and women friends chatting over glasses of wine and bruschetta boards. The place had a comfortable feel to it, like you were in someone’s living room, set up with Pottery Barn furniture. I always loved the décor of it. Maybe someday me and Ryder could set up our place like this.

We all slid into the rounded booth, with Mom between us.

The hostess set menus down. “Your server will be right with you.”

“Good, because I need some wine after yesterday’s shift.” She breathed in deeply, then picked up her menu.

“What happened on your shift, Mom?” I scanned over my menu. My two favorite people were always busy saving lives.

“Oh, just a newborn with pneumonia. Poor thing.” She set her menu down. “Let’s each pick two bruschettas and share. What do you think?” She glanced at Ryder, then focused on me.

“Sure, and we can order more if it’s not enough.” It sounded like Mom didn’t want to dwell on the baby, so I’d leave it alone. I leaned forward to gaze at Ryder. He could eat a lot and I was pretty sure two wouldn’t be enough for him. “Or do you want to order more than that now?”

“We can order more if we need to.” He propped his elbow on the table and his cheek in his hand, turning toward Mom. “Bonnie, me and Milo have something to tell you.”

Shit, he was going for it. My heart kicked. Why was I nervous? This was Mom. She would be happy for us.

“Oh?” Her gaze met his and a grin teased her lips.

The server came to the table and we each ordered white wine, with Mom ordering red, then all put in orders for a variety of bruschettas.

“Do we need to wait for our wine before you announce whatever this is?” Mom hooked a brow at Ryder, then peeked at me.

“Yes, let’s wait.” I watched our server setting glasses of wine on a tray. “She’s coming back already.” My mouth went dry, and I licked my lips. What the hell was wrong with me?

The server set down our wines, then left.

Mom picked up her wine by the stem and held it in the air. “Okay, what’s going on?” She side-eyed me, then Ryder.

Clearing his throat, Ryder stole a look at me.

Did he want me to say it? Okay. “Mom, Ryder, and me, we started being more than friends when he moved back. In fact, he’s my boyfriend now.” I studied her.

The corners of her lips twitched, and her eyes grew wide, then a full-on smile swept over her face. “Oh my God. That’s the best news I think I’ve ever heard.” She leaned into Ryder, touching the side of her head to his shoulder, then did the same to me. “Come on, let’s drink to that.” She held her wine glass higher.

Picking up my wine, I tapped it on her glass as Ryder did the same. “Love you, Mom.” As warmth bloomed inside me, I sipped my wine.

“Love you, too. Both of you.” She tapped her glass to Ryder’s and drank some down while Ryder did the same.

“You know I love you, too, Bonnie.” He gave her his most charming smile.

TWENTY-TWO

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