Page 37 of Fall Twice

“Wow, um, I’m… flattered you seem to think I’m a good candidate.” Lena doubts her response as she pats a napkin around her mouth.

I shake my head and rub my temples with my fingers. “Ignore my mother. She has zero filters.”

“I mean, do it the medical way or add in a little extra benefit to the procedure, your choice really,” my mother adds.

Lena tries to hide the laughter that I know wants to erupt.

I turn my attention to her. “Are you sure you’re working-from-home day without real coffee isn’t looking like the better option right now?”

“Nah, this is kind of entertaining.” Lena chuckles and leans back against her chair.

My mother places a hand on Lena’s shoulder affectionately. “I’m sorry, that was perhaps a step too far. I’m just very happy that Reid is still here, and there are so many possibilities, you know?”

Lena touches my mother’s hand on her. “I can understand.”

This instant bond that these two have is something that I never experienced with any exes. It’s concerning and makes me uneasy; I’m outnumbered.

“I’m taking Reid out for a big dinner tonight, bells and whistles. Nothing like a five-course dinner with your favorite parent. You should come with us, won’t you?”

“Kind of you to offer, but I’m going to pick up Oscar soon from school and then work a little after he goes to bed,” Lena politely replies.

It only makes my mother look more fondly at Lena.

But Lena doesn’t notice because our eyes meet and speak in their own language, a sort of confirmation that we are both holding on for the wild ride, and I don’t mean my mother.

A silence overtakes the table, and my mother must notice, but it’s Lena who breaks the quiet. “I should probably head out. The traffic of moms in the pickup line is brutal.” Lena begins to move, and she grabs her purse.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” I offer. “I’ll be right back.” I give my mother a warning glare not to follow.

She and Lena and say their goodbyes, and when we’re outside, I open my mouth, but Lena beats me to the punch.

“So, I’m turkey-baster material?” She tries to keep her laugh down, but she can’t.

I can only laugh, relieved that she’s taking it all in good stride. “We can’t erase this moment, can we?”

She shakes her head. “We don’t get to erase any moment, it’s now a memory imprinted in my brain. Besides, I really want to laugh about this a year from now. I’m honored, really.”

We walk next to one another, and I see her car a few spaces up. “Thanks for making her dream come true. Stopping by, I mean. She showed up out of the blue to surprise me, and this day keeps taking turns.”

Lena hits the button on her car key then leans against the vehicle to look at me with arms folded. “I always liked her.”

“Well, we know her opinions of you.” I slide my hands into my back pockets and study Lena for a second. “By the way, you called earlier? Before getting roped into my mother’s schemes. Everything okay?”

Lena looks stuck in thought as her mouth makes an O shape. “Right. That.” She tucks a few strands of hair behind her ear. “I was just… checking if you were free… for lunch.” She tries to avoid my eyes on her.

Something about her demeanor makes me narrow my eyes in amusement. Then it dawns on me what it could have been. “Were you… bored?”

Her eyes snap back into my direction. “No,” she scoffs in defense.

“Really?” I’m doubtful of her answer. “Had a break in your video conference schedule and thought we could…” I flash my eyes at her.

She shakes her head and keeps her lips tight, but I see her grin trying to escape. Then she breathes an audible breath and changes the subject. “Anyway, uhm, I was wondering… Halloween is coming up and trick-or-treating. I might need some company, as Oscar is planning a big haul–”

I cut her off. “I’m there.”

A shy smile plays on her lips. “Cool.” We look at one another, almost giddy for a few beats. Then she surprises me. “Are you picturing it in your head?” Her raised brows and sly expression cause me to know exactly what she is referencing.

I step closer to her, unable to control myself. I plant my hand onto her side, and she inhales a long breath.

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