Page 87 of One Bossy Date
“Speaking of future plans…” my mom piped up, turning to Zoe. “Are there any developments with your wedding plans?”
Of course.
I looked at Zoe, thinking she might need help. When she’d been put on the spot at her gran’s party, she’d tended to clam up and sweat. Tonight, she didn’t.
“Not at the moment, actually.” She set her fork down and held my hand on the table, staring up at me the way a fiancée would her future spouse—with love. “We’re taking our time to figure it out. There are a lot of plans to be made.”
“Oh, I do wish you’d hurry though.” My mom sighed. “With a baby on the way, there’s no time to lose.”
“Oh, Lilian. Give the kids a break!” Helen chimed in. “They’ve never done this before, unlike you and I. They’ll make up their own minds.” She winked at Zoe, who was clearly thankful.
“Yes, yes, I’m just itching to plan parties. Baby shower, bachelorette, kitchen tea, you name it. I’m in.”
The women giggled at that, and I started drifting from the conversation. My mind was back on the presentation. The irony of this was just too bold to miss. My mom had invited Charles Humphries, thinking it would be a way to help me land this contract and stay in the city. Yet, because Charles Humphries was here, I’d gotten a presentation date much sooner than I’d hoped—meaning I’d be able to leave for Chile right on time, by New Year’s Day.
It seemed everything I’d planned was working out somehow.
Except, that was, for this lunacy named Zoe.
The evening continued much the same: small talk and conversations about weddings and babies I tried my best to avoid. After eating, we dispersed. Some family members huddled at the table, while others were on the couches by the Christmas tree. The Humphries left, parting with a last congratulations and Charles shaking my hand, claiming to be looking forward to the presentation.
“Anderson, can we talk?”
“Yes, Mom.” I let her lead the way to the office and closed the door for privacy. Before she had a chance to say whatever it was she wanted to, I pulled her in for a hug.
“Thank you, Mom,” I said into her ear, squeezing her shoulder.
When I let go, she looked startled. “Oh.”
I knew it was likely because I didn’t often show affection. “I appreciate your help in getting the Humphries presentation. It wouldn’t have happened without your plan.”
“Well, thanks, honey,” she said, still a bit shaky, “but that’s…not the reason I asked you in here.”
“What’s up?” I asked, even though I already knew what was up, somehow. I justknewit.
“What’s taking you so long to start planning your wedding?”
“Like Zoe said, we’re—”
“I know what she said, Anderson.” She interrupted, all tenderness gone. “I want to know whatyousay. You’re smarter than this. I’m not so old-fashioned that I care about you getting her pregnant before marriage, but surely those two achievements go hand in hand. Are you planning to leave her a single mother?”
“What? No, Mom—”
“Then make a plan, Anderson. Give her a proper proposal. A ring for Christ’s sake! She might be pregnant with your child, but if you don’t show her that you want her around, she will leave you. In this day and age, women can easily be single mothers. It’d do you good to remember that.”
“Jesus, Mom.” I raked my fingers through my hair.
“Zoe is special, Anderson. I love her to bits. Somehow, you’re making me question ifyoudo.”
I wanted to say, “Of course I do,” but I couldn’t. That would be crossing a line.
“Mom, Zoe and I are figuring things out. We didn’t expect all this to happen. She’s still getting her business off the ground. She’s not the type of woman who’s just going to settle down. She’s independent, and I will give her all the space she needs to plan her life the way she wants it.” Sure, there was the age difference too. Zoe and I had never talked about it, but it had crossed my mind.
My mom narrowed her eyes. Even though I’d technically just told the truth, I felt like she was seeing right through me.
“Fine,” she said. “Go ahead and ‘figure things out.’ But I assure you, so will I.”
She turned and left me alone, speechless, in my office after her little threat. I had no idea if she was really onto us, or if she was just talking. She was definitely an intelligent woman, so I wouldn’t put it past her. It just made me feel like a complete asshole.