Page 65 of Lemon Cake
“I hope I can tell them apart,” his mother muttered, organising the remaining groceries by dish.
“You’ll be fine. They tend to dress differently.”
“But their names are so similar.”
“Mom, it’s okay.” He pulled her into a hug, engulfing her small frame in his. “Everyone will be nervous but once the introductions are made, everything will be fine.”
“It’s the first time you’re introducing me to a woman.”
“I’ve introduced you to all my girlfriends!” he corrected, releasing her from his grip.
“Highschool flings. This one seems serious.”
“It is.”
“Marriage serious?”
Rider groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Why does everyone keep jumping to marriage?”
“I’m not saying right now but… where is this going?” Then, with the knowledge that only a mother could have, she smiled up at him and rested her hand on his arm. “I won’t make you say it. I can see the answer in your eyes.”
While his mom cooked, he made sure to clean up after her alongside tidying the rest of the house. Not that it was particularly needed, but he needed to pass the time. Early afternoon, his guests finally arrived.
When he opened the door, Gemma smiled up at him with a floral knee-length dress and a bouquet in her hands. He reached for the flowers, but she twisted out of his grip. “Not for you,” she giggled, reaching for his neck to kiss his cheek. “For Angela.”
He stepped aside and took the dish that Gina held in her hands. “Come in. Make yourself at home.”
“Mom, this is Rider.” A woman stepped forward, who could have been a triplet to the other two. “Rider, this ismy mom, Mandie.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mandie.” With his free hand he shook hers before turning to his own mother and making the introductions
“It is nice to meet all of you.” His mom gave each of the women a hug—as always when she met new people—and then turned to Dan. “I heard you’re a great helper in the kitchen. Would you like to help me with the turkey?”
“You’re smaller than I thought,” Dan said in response. “Rider is a giant!”
Gina seemed mortified, but his mom only laughed. “He really does say whatever he thinks, huh?”
“I wonder who he got that from,” Mandie muttered.
Gemma, as if she lived there, had already found a vase and was arranging the flowers on the countertop—and Rider loved to see it. “I think he takes after all of us.”
“That’s not a bad thing,” Rider said dreamily. “Drinks?”
“Gemma’s driving so we’ll have wine,” Gina announced.
“And I made some punch for Dan.”
Rider filled everyone’s glasses and then found himself giving a house tour once Dan demanded to see the home gym. Everyone obsessed over the custom bathtub, and again over their new photos Ellie had taken.
Dan had the honour of carving the turkey and insisted that Rider sit next to him. For once, he was relieved that no one requested putting the Thanksgiving Day football game on. He had a blast sharing that special meal with everyone.
While the mothers went outside for some fresh air, Rider insisted on cleaning after putting a movie on for Dan. Bothmothers seemed to love gardening, so they ventured into his sad excuse for a garden.
“This was nice,” Gemma hummed, leaning her body against his. “I think our moms are getting along really well.”
“Yeah, gossiping about my dying plants. I think even my grass is holding on for dear life.”
She laughed and stretched to her tiptoes, pulling him down for a kiss. “That’s something you and I can work on together. Maybe two not so green thumbs can add up to something good.”