Page 67 of A Play for Love

“No complaints. My three o’clock patient canceled, which was my last one for the day, so I’ll pick Ella up from school so you don’t have to.”

“Thanks, babe. I appreciate it.”

“I love you, and I’ll see you later,” he said.

“I love you too.”

I set my phone on the island and opened the dishwasher to unload it so I could fill it with the dirty dishes from breakfast. I was waiting for a package to be delivered that needed my signature, so when the doorbell rang, I didn’t think twice about answering it. I stood there in shock, my heart beating out of my chest, when I opened the door and saw who was standing there.

“Hello, Sofia.”

“Mom?” My brows furrowed.

“May I come in?”

“What are you doing here? And how do you know where I live?”

“It’s not that hard to find out people’s addresses. May I please come in?”

“Sure.” I moved out of the way so she could step inside.

“I think it’s time we talked,” she said as she looked around my home. “This is a very nice home you have.”

“Uh, thanks.” I couldn’t calm my racing heart for the life of me. “Can I make you some tea?”

“Tea would be lovely. Thank you. If you don’t already know, Nathan paid me a visit.”

“He told me.” I grabbed a tea bag from the canister.

“That man really cares about you,” she said.

“I hope so since I’m marrying him in a month.”

“Where is my grandson?”

“Nicholas is down for a nap. We’ve been out all morning.” I poured some water from the tea kettle into a cup and handed it to my mother.

“Thank you.”

I felt agitated as anger brewed inside me.

“Do you think you can just show up here?” I asked with irritation.

The sliding door opened, and Alex stepped inside.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had visitors. I can come back.”

“It’s fine, Alex.”

“I was just going to ask if I could borrow a stick of butter. I only have one, and I need two.”

“Yeah. Of course.” I walked to the refrigerator and grabbed it for her. “Alex, this is my mother, Rose. Mom, this is Alex. One of my best friends, neighbor, and future cousin-in-law.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Alex.” Rose extended her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Rose. Thanks for the stick of butter,” Alex spoke as her eyes widened at me in disbelief before she walked out the sliding door.

“Oh, shit. I forgot to ask her something,” I said to my mother as I opened the sliding door, and she stopped when I yelled her name.

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