Mom’s jaw goes slack. “You’re… seeing each other. As in, dating?”
“Correct,” says Devin.
“I don’t believe it. It doesn’t make sense. How could she remember you if you didn’t meet until recently?”
“We’re still trying to figure that out,” I say.
She pinches her forehead between her thumb and forefinger. “I need to sit down.”
“It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?” Devin proffers his elbow.
Ignoring his offer of an escort, she marches through the parking lot and settles on a bench facing the river. Smoothing my skirt under me, I sit next to her. The quiet slosh-slosh of water lapping against the concrete embankment competes with the sound of drilling and hammering in the distance. Devin’s footsteps approach, but he doesn’t sit. He paces toward the river and back, opting to stand.
Mom stares out at the rippling brown water. “For the longest time, Cass was convinced you were real, and I didn’t believe her. No one did. I’m sorry, Cass.” Tears glisten in her eyes when she looks at me.
I pat her knee. “It’s okay, Mom. It’s a pretty unbelievable situation.”
With a sniff, she swipes a finger under her eye, then shifts her attention to Devin. “How do I know you’re not playing her?”
“Mom.”
“No, he could be taking advantage of you. You’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, and suddenly a guy comes along who’s supposed to be the man you thought was your boyfriend and now you’re dating? It all sounds very convenient to me.”
“Are you kidding me? It’s not convenient at all. I’d finally moved on with my life, and boom, I meet Devin. And no, he’s not taking advantage of me. He graciously agreed to hear me out when most people would have run for the hills. It’s just a coincidence that we happened to hit it off.”
Devin steps forward. “I care about Cass, honestly. I’d never do anything to hurt her.” His blazing eyes settle on me, and my heart thumps painfully. He might not have intended to hurt me, but what he did today was heavy-handed and hurtful in its own way. I know he was just trying to help, but I still can’t help feeling like I’ve been judged and found wanting. My gut twists like a wrung-out towel.
My mom stares at Devin for so long he’s the first to look away. After what feels like an eternity, she shrugs. “God works in mysterious ways.”
“Since when do you believe in God?”
“Just because we didn’t go to church when you were growing up doesn’t mean I don’t believe in God. And I think he brought you two together for a reason.”
“Mom,” I hiss under my breath.
“I know, don’t mind me. I’m still in shock. And I’m sorry, was I interrupting something?”
“No, you—”
“I brought a car over for Cass to test-drive,” Devin says.
She whips her head in my direction so fast her hair swishes around her chin. “You’re finally driving?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, you should. It’s been a year. You need to get back on the horse if you ever want to drive again.”
Devin slides onto the bench next to Mom. “You know, that’s exactly what I said.”
“I like him,” she says to me.
Yeah, yeah, Devin’s great. “I will drive. Someday. But not today.”
“I understand.” He nods heavily. “Well, I should get going. I need to return the car and get back to the office by two for a meeting. It was nice to meet you—”
“Melanie,” Mom says.
“Melanie,” he repeats, taking her hand in his. Color flushes across Mom’s cheeks. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen her flustered like this. Then again, Devin tends to have that effect on people.
“Likewise,” she says.
“We’ll talk later,” Devin adds to me, standing.
Nerves pinch my gut and I force a tight smile. “Yeah. Later.”
Mom and I watch him weave through the parking lot. Once he disappears into the Lexus and the engine revs, she whirls on me.
“You met him weeks ago and didn’t tell me?” She slaps my arm.
I rub the spot. “Ow.”
“I can’t believe it. He looks exactly like your drawings. Is he the same as you remember?”
“Yes… and no.”
“Well. Let me just say, I am impressed. He’s polite, thoughtful, not to mention quite the looker. And he’s encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone, which is exactly what you need.”