“Your face though when Mom said happy birthday,” Jameson says, and the boys all laugh as if picturing it once more. They break into chatter and Elliot’s eyes find mine across the room and he smiles softly.
I love seeing him with his brothers like this; they aren’t at all as I imagined.
Fun, carefree, and full of banter.
Surprisingly normal.
I glance at my watch: 12:45 p.m. Mrs. Miles will be here soon.
Fuck.
I’m so nervous I could die.
My phone rings and the name Elliot lights up the screen. “Hello Mr. Miles.” I smile.
“Hi. You ready for your lunch date?”
“Nope.” I sigh. “What do I say?”
“Everything except anything.”
“What?”
“My mother wants to get you alone so she can dig for information.”
“Like what?”
“She’s nosy.”
“What will I tell her?”
“Nothing. Tell her nothing.”
My eyes widen. “What if she asks me questions?”
“Oh, she will. Don’t you worry about that.”
“How will I answer them?”
“Just be evasive.”
I close my eyes. “This day is a nightmare, Elliot,” I whisper.
He chuckles.
“Did you really bring me here to meet your mother?”
“Maybe.”
“Why?”
“I told you already, I didn’t want to go a week without seeing you.”
My heart swells.
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
“It doesn’t matter, I like you.”
I smile as I run my finger along the countertop.
“Does that count for something?” he asks.
“It does.”
“After you finish lunch with her, come and see me at work.”
“Really?” I sigh. God, so much pressure in one day. I’ve been running around all morning looking for the perfect gift. “I’ll just see you tonight.”
“Kate, it’s my birthday.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine.”
“Don’t drink too much at lunch,” he reminds me.
I giggle.
“I mean it, she hates drunks.”
“Oh.” He’s serious. “Okay.”
“And don’t tell her anything about us.”
I shrug. What could I possibly tell her—I don’t even know what’s going on. “Okay.”
“And—”
“Elliot,” I cut him off. “You’re making me more nervous than I already am,” I splutter.
“Sorry.” He exhales.
“I’ll see you this afternoon?”
“Alright. Bye babe.”
I hang up and rush to the bathroom to check how I look one last time. I’m wearing a black, long-sleeved dress that Daniel made me buy, and nude high heels with a matching clutch. My hair is styled and I have minimal makeup on.