Page 21 of Doctor Billionaire's Surprise Baby

“You can make the salad. There’s a bag in the fridge. I’m grilling steaks and potatoes are in the oven.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I said, turning for the fridge.

Seth went outside to the balcony where he kept a small grill – pretty much the only way hedidknow how to cook – and I busied myself with the salad.

“What’s new, Mom?” I knew that question would get her talking so I wouldn’t have to, and she didn’t disappoint. I heard all about her new neighbor, the fitness class at the Y she started, and the vendetta she had against Market Basket for rejecting one of her expired coupons. By the time she was done, the salad was complete and Seth was walking inside with the steaks. I quickly volunteered to set the table and escaped to the separate dining room.

“Honestly, this place is just so big. I can’t believe it’s a condo,” Mom said as she walked into the dining room. This time I was graced with seeing Seth’s eye roll as he walked behind her.

“You can sit here, Mom,” Seth said, pointing to the chair across from my usual one. Seth sat next to her at the rectangular table.

“This all looks great, kids. Thank you for having me.”

“No problem, Mom,” Seth said as he cut into his steak. Silence fell over the room and awkwardness sizzled. It wasn’t that we didn’t have a good relationship with our mom, it was just a little strained.

I wanted to be closer, but it felt like so much had happened over the years and Seth and I were headed in very differentdirections than she’d ever known. And he’d never say it, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if Seth felt a little resentment toward her. He supported her so much financially. He bought her a small house and gave her money every month and I knew that wasn’t a small effort.

“Did Simone mention she’s going to Italy in a couple of weeks?” I glared at Seth. “What? I didn’t know it was a secret.”

“No, she didn’t say anything.”

“She’s going with Hugo.”

“Ouch,” Seth said when I kicked him under the table.

“Stop talking about me like I’m not in the room. Really, Mom, it’s not a big deal. But, yes, I’m going to Italy. I’m looking forward to seeing Nonna while I’m there.”

“Not a big deal? You’re marrying the guy. I’d say that’s a big deal.”

Now I was glaring at Seth, wishing laser beams could shoot from my eyes.

“What on earth? Simone, you’re getting married?” My mom's fork clattered on her plate as she looked at me incredulously.

“No. Well, yes, but it’s a long story, Mom. Not worth getting into now.”

“My only daughter is getting married, and it’s not worth getting into?”

“It’s complicated.”

Seth snickered, and I kicked him again. He just shrugged at me.

That asshole. He did this on purpose.

“It’s very new, Mom. I promise, I didn’t keep anything from you. We haven’t even started planning anything.”

"And you're seeing Nonna? Does she know?" My mom was peppering me with questions.

"Well, like I said, this is all very new, so no, she doesn't know."

"Make sure you let her know so that she doesn't fall over from a heart attack when she sees you. And since you're going in a couple of weeks, that will give me enough time to get together a gift basket for her. I'm not sure when I'll be able to get over there next to see her. Thank goodness for technology that allows us to talk for free. Not like the old days when just 2 minutes of talking cost $5." Mom rolled her eyes, remembering the past.

"Sure. And to make it easier, why don't you just let me know what you'd like to give her and I can pick it up before I go? That will save you another trip into the city."

"Okay, I'll do that, thanks." Mom paused and savored her last bite. "Mmm, these potatoes are delicious."

"Ha, told you I know my potatoes," Seth responded, looking like a proud Cheshire cat.

The rest of the meal was pleasant enough. Mom loved talking about the group of women she hung out with, so much that even though I had only met a few, I felt like I knew them all quite intimately.

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