Page 81 of Isolated
Any of the lingering tension evaporated. “What?! Are you serious?”
My mom was doing everything she could to contain her excitement. I could tell she wanted to jump for joy, but she was holding herself back. Perhaps she didn’t quite believe I was telling her the truth.
“I’m being honest with you.”
Her features softened, and her expression warmed. My mom’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “This is the best news I’ve heard all day.” She tugged on my wrist and urged me deeper into the house. “Come in and sit. I want to hear everything about her.”
My mom wasn’t a pushy person, but in this case, she did not hesitate to lead me into the living room before all but shoving me onto the couch.
“Okay. Tell me about her. What’s her name? How did you meet her?”
“Her name is Iris Gibson, and I’ve known her for more than a year now. Closer to two, actually. We met at the gym.”
If I thought she’d been stunned to learn I met someone, the reaction she’d had then didn’t compare to the one she was having now. “You’ve been dating her for more than a year?”
There was an edge of ire in her tone. That, and perhaps a bit of hurt and disappointment. Even if there was a hint of anger or resentment there, more than anything, she was upset to think that I’d hid something like this from her for so long.
Holding my hands up in surrender, I quickly defended myself. “We haven’t been dating for a year. I’ve known her for a while, but it was only two weeks ago that I took her out on our first date.”
For the first time since she’d opened the door to me,my mom genuinely relaxed. “Oh. Okay. That makes me feel so much better. Tell me more about her. About Iris.”
The way she said her name made me think she was getting used to the sound of it, like she was trying it out to see if it fit. I figured the best thing I could do is give her more reasons to adore a woman she hadn’t had the opportunity to meet just yet.
“She’s gorgeous, Mom. And I don’t mean in the physical sense. Obviously, I think Iris is beautiful. She’s got this thick auburn hair and bright green eyes and a smile that lights up the whole room. But even more than that, she’s the sweetest woman in the world. Iris will make friends with anybody. And she’s got this confidence and determination that I just love about her.”
For a few moments, my mom just stared at me with what I could only assume was disbelief written all over her expression. But it quickly morphed into something else, and a smile spread across her face. “Iris sounds lovely.”
“She is. She’s wonderful. And I really like her.”
After reaching for my hand and taking it between hers, my mom said, “When you’re ready, I’d love to meet her. Do you think she’d be up for an introduction sometime soon?”
Iris would love nothing more. “If I’m honest, she’s probably upset I haven’t already made it happen.”
Mom’s brows shot up. “Really?”
I shook my head as I chuckled. “No. I just meant that she’s the kind of woman who would’ve already made it happen if she had her way.”
“Have you met her family?”
“I met her sisters when they came in to visit her theother weekend, but her parents are traveling right now, so I haven’t met them yet.”
Confusion washed over her. “Iris’s sisters came to visit her? Do they not live here?”
“Iris is originally from Grouse, but she moved here about two years ago for her job.” I smiled at the thought. “There’s that, too. She’s so good at her job; she’s been promoted twice in less than a year.”
My mom inhaled deeply and let out a satisfied sigh. “I would ask you if you’re happy with her, but I don’t need to. You’re a completely different man today than you were the day you came here before the wedding. Your eyes light up when you talk about her. And the way you smile tells me you’re constantly thinking about her. All I want to do is meet her to make sure she’s just as smitten with you.”
I hadn’t really thought about the change in me, but I guess my mom wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t see what she was talking about, but I could certainly feel it. I felt like I’d been walking around weightless for a bit now, and I found that I was even approaching my cases at work with a positive mindset.
Iris was always so happy, even before things changed between us, so I didn’t think there’d ever be such a noticeable change. But she made it clear she missed me when we weren’t together, and she was always eager to spend time with me. I could only assume that was the way the change had manifested in her.
“I think she is. I hope so, anyway. I’ll talk to her about it, and we’ll set something up soon.”
Mom smiled at me. “I made some cookies for the bake sale this weekend. How about I grab you some now so you can tell me more about Iris.”
“Trying to bribe me for more information with cookies?”
She rolled her eyes. “I know you don’t like to eat sweet treats too often, but you can’t resist freshly baked cookies.”
