Page 40 of More Than a Little Spark

“Yes, I do.I was very wrong, and I even tried to distance you from your siblings so that they’d build a connection with me.And I’m so sorry for that.”

“What changed?”I pick up my fork, but the emotions stirring inside might make it hard to eat.

“When Denise found out I’d lied about you not wanting to talk, she iced me out.Deservedly.I took that as my cue to get therapy.”She wipes her eyes.“Losing your dad ripped my heart out.But he’d hate that I was so heartless.Realizing how awful I’d been was embarrassing.And I wasn’t sure you’d forgive me.”

“I forgive you, Mom.And thank you for explaining.I knew you were hurting, but I didn’t know how to fix it.”

“Sweetheart, you can’t always fix things for other people.”She squeezes my hand.“I love you.”

“Love you too.”

We eat in silence for a few minutes.

Teary eyed, Mom meets my gaze.“I’ve missed so much of your life.But I’d love to know about it.”

While we eat, I tell Mom about my job and how I ended up working for a billionaire.“While I am in no danger of being added to a list of the rich and famous, my boss has been generous, and I’m comfortable.Happy.I’m even thinking about buying a house.Maybe.”

“That’s wonderful.”She glances at my hands.“You’re still single?”

“Do you seriously think I would’ve gotten married without saying a word?I’m not married.But I am seeing a wonderful man.We’ve been dating about six months.But we’re keeping it a bit quiet because he has a son.”I don’t explain about Fred being Carson’s nephew.That’s a story for another time.

Mom raises an eyebrow.“If he’s keeping you a secret, that’s a bit of a red flag.”

“He’s not.Several of his friends know that we’re seeing each other.And we’ve texted or talked every night for months.We even have a double date scheduled tomorrow night.With Rose and Dallas.You remember Rose, don’t you?But anyway, the situation is complicated with his son, which is why we’ve kept things quiet.”I know if Mom meets Carson, she’d see that he is all green flags.But we haven’t talked about him meeting my family.That’s something I should bring up, I suppose.He might be waiting on me to ask since meeting his family isn’t going to happen.

Once lunch is finished and the plates have been cleared away, Mom checks the time.“I need to run, but can we do this again?I’ve enjoyed this.”

“I’d love that.”I give her a tight hug.“Call me anytime.”

“Love you.”She waves as she steps away.

I hurry out to my car and text Carson.

Me:She apologized for everything.I have my mom back.

He sends a heart, then my phone rings.

“Hi.”I struggle to keep my emotions in check.

“I’m really happy that she apologized.And that you have your mom back.”His voice has that same soothing tone as the night of the accident.“I was hoping things would work out.”

A pang of guilt stabs at me.It’s not fair that things have worked out with my mom, and Carson is still left without his mother.“I didn’t expect it.But the first thing she did was apologize.She’s been to therapy and she’s a little like she used to be.”

“That’s awesome.I’m glad she got help so that she could see what she was missing out on.You’re kind of awesome.”

“Sweet words are only going to make me cry right now.I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night.”

“Same.And there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“You didn’t seriously drop the we-need-to-talk line right before I’m headed back to work.Do you want worry and curiosity to eat me alive?”

He chuckles.“It’s not a bad conversation.But I don’t want to have it over the phone.”He blows me a kiss.“I need to go so that I can find our fence-jumping bull.I’ll call you tonight.”

“Be careful.Bulls have horns and can be dangerous.Do.Not.Get.Hurt.”

“I don’t plan to.”

“Bye.”I end the call and hug the phone to my chest.Tomorrow can’t get here soon enough.

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