Page 36 of Fall Twice

My mother’s eyes blaze with curiosity. “Is there a woman, Reid?”

“No,” I point-blank answer.

She sighs then drinks her latte. “I was hoping you would say you finally saw sense with Lena.”

“What does that mean?” I scoff, offended.

My mother gives me the do-I-really-need-to-explain look. “I’m not an idiot, I know in college you two were at it like rabbits. Remember when you and your roommate had brunch for us parents and you invited her over? I saw it as clear as day. I liked her, but I know you both went your separate ways.”

“She wasn’t the one for me.” That I’m honest about.

“Then or now?” She raises a brow at me while her lips purse out and she drums her nails on the table.

How my mother knows what to ask is her goddamn talent. Because her question is the one thought that has been lingering inside of me.

Why does now feel different? What I felt back then doesn’t feel relevant now. Then, I wanted a career, to be free and not tied down, and I didn’t think I loved her. Now, I want none of that, and Lena has changed into a spectacular creature who won’t get out of my damn mind.

I get lost in my thoughts for a few seconds and stare at the glass canister of sugar. But my daze is quickly broken when my mom begins to tap the window and move like a jumping bean in her seat.

My eyes dart to what or whose attention she is trying to get. Then dread or pure delight hits me when I realize that Lena is walking toward the door.

There is no fucking way, even if Prudence cast a spell or Hollows worked its weird fall-magic crap, that the chance of Lena being here at the same time is a coincidence.

Glaring at my mother, who tries to hide her joy in the turn of events by keeping the cup at her lips, I know she is up to her tricks.

“What did you do?” I mutter as I wave to Lena who indicates she’s going to order a coffee.

My mother bounces her shoulders up toward her ears, and when she sets her mug down, she breaks. “Okay, okay. When you ran into your home to drop off your laptop, your phone rang in the car, and I noticed the name, so…”

“Let me guess, you answered?”

“I mean, Lena has a working-from-home day and needs a coffee too.” My mother looks at her nails.

I don’t even get to answer, as my mother greets Lena with a bright smile as she arrives at our table.

“Hi. Good to see you again.” Lena beams at my mother then turns her gaze to me, and it’s reassuring, welcoming, and recognition that I slid into her at 7am a week ago. “What a coincidence that we’re both here.” Her eyes flash at me, and I hear the sarcasm in her tone, which only causes me to smirk to myself.

“Please, sit with us,” I play along.

With enthusiasm, my mother makes space and pulls up a chair for Lena.

“This is so wonderful that you moved to Hollows. When Reid told me, I nearly fell off my chair. It’s always nice to catch up with old friends,” my mother begins, and I’m waiting for the big reveal of her scheme to come out. “And a mother now too, let me see a photo.”

Time swallows me whole as the next few minutes, Lena is showing photos of Oscar, and my mom coos and gives me winks. I can only roll my eyes and pray for a comet to fall on us. Instead, I indicate to the barista for more coffee.

“He is a darling. You make beautiful babies. I can see he must keep your hands full. It’ll be hard when his father goes to live in another country,” my mother mentions.

Lena wobbles her head from side to side. “It’ll be okay, it’s temporary. I have a good relationship with Sean’s parents, and it was the reason I also agreed to look for a job in the Midwest, because then when Sean returns, he will likely stay in Chicago. But yeah, it’s… a change.”

“You can rope my son into helping you when needed. I’ve seen him with kids, his niece, a natural talent really. Hopefully, Reid will make me a grandma again.”

I scratch the back of my neck. “New topic,” I suggest.

My mother ignores me and waves a finger between Lena and me. “Your renewed friendship with one another couldn’t have come at a better time.” My mother turns her attention to me. “Lena makes beautiful kids, so if you ever need a friend to carry your frozen sperm for nine months, then she is a great candidate.” She mentions it so casually, not malicious.

Lena sputters out her drink, clearly surprised by the turn of this conversation.

“Holy shit. Is this why you set this up?” My jaw drops and my eyes go wide. I can’t believe my mother just said it, but that’s my mother.

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