But he was honest. He’d told her the truth, even though she hadn’t believed it.
Sometimes it sucked being an adult.
Sometimes it sucked having the power to give someone what—or who—he wanted, even if it wasn’t you.
Sonia called Nate’s sister and asked a favor.
When Diane had agreed, Sonia heaved a sigh. It was done. She’d solved all the things, all the things except her own broken heart.
That would just take time.
Fourteen
It wasn’t often that doing the right thing bit the wall, but this was definitely one of those moments. Nate could have done without seeing Nick claim Sonia’s hand, but he supposed he should be glad that he knew the end of the story.
It would cure him of his addiction to her podcast, that was for sure.
The last thing Nate wanted to do was visit anyone, but Diane called just after they got on the highway. Her timing couldn’t have been better, but there was no way she could have known that he was in town, on the verge of heading back to Boston.
“Is Mom okay?” he asked, his suspicions roused. Troll drove, impassive as ever.
“She just sounds a bit lonely and I can’t get there this weekend. I’m trying to get some edits off my desk and it might be a long night. Any chance you could stop by or are you working weekends now?”
“I was actually in New York today.”
“Go on,” Diane said, but she didn’t really sound surprised.
“Did you know that?”
“How could I possibly know that?” his sister demanded. “I just had a feeling you might be able to help. Call it female intuition.”
Nate looked toward Troll, who was driving. “Maybe I can drive down tomorrow to see her,” he said. “Are you going to be talking to her again, or should I call?”
“You call and just suggest it,” Diane said. “Pretend this conversation never happened.”
“Got it.” No wonder he loved spy stuff and intrigue.
“Thanks, Nate. Let me know how she’s doing when you leave.”
“Problem?” Troll asked, merging into traffic.
“My sister wants me to visit my mom.”
“Here?”
Nate nodded.
“We could stop in.”
“Don’t you want to get home?”
“It’s an hour or two, no big deal so long as your mom doesn’t mind me being there. It would save you a huge drive tomorrow.”
That was true enough.
Nate rang his mom, smiling at her enthusiasm for the idea. “You like pot roast?” he asked Troll.
“You’d better believe it,” that man said, flashing a rare smile. “Put the address in the GPS and let’s go.”