Page 102 of Valor

“I’d love some, thanks.”

“Then come on, honey. I’ll put a fresh pot on.” After dipping her brushes in the wash cup, she heads toward the small kitchen my dad renovated for her about three years before he passed. I’d helped him lay each white subway tile, then watched as my mom painted a stunning assortment of flowers on them before sealing the paint.

They look completely new, even now.

“So how is Lani doing? Her mom said she’s not eating and sleeping enough these days. She’s worried about her.”

“She’s definitely stressed, but she’s doing good.” I take a seat at the small round table still prepared for three. It makes my heart ache to know my mom lives here alone. She and my dad were married thirty-two years before he passed.

I couldn’t even make it three.

And that adds a whole new level of sting to my pride.

“Just good? I saw her the other day. She’s stunning.” As the coffee begins to drip into the pot, my mom takes a seat at the table, her full attention on me. Bright green eyes that have always been able to force the truth from me. Even when I’m trying hard to hide it.

“She’s always been stunning.”

“Then what’s taking you so long?” She gently smacks me on the arm. “Your father and I did not raise you to be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone.”

I laugh, recalling my eighteenth birthday when they took me skydiving. I’d been terrified, but even though neither of them had ever done it either, my mom told me that God blessed us with such a beautiful life, it would be a shame to miss experiences. “No, you didn’t.”

“Then why haven’t you asked her on a date yet? Not dinner at her house, or with other people, but an actual date?”

“It’s complicated.” I run a hand over the back of my hair.

“Do share, darling.” She crosses her arms and arches a brow.

“I already couldn’t make a marriage work. What if this relationship fails too? Then I not only lose my chance with her, I also lose the friendship I’ve had for my entire life.”

“I’m not even going to go into the fact that Kleo’s the one who cheated. You tried to make it work. Even after you told me that you thought you’d made a mistake. You treated that girl like a princess—I would have told you if you didn’t—and she left anyway. That is not onyou.”

“Not going to get into it, huh?” I ask, amused.

My mom rolls her eyes and gets to her feet to retrieve two mugs and fill them with coffee. After adding some cream and honey in hers, she returns to the table and sets my mug in front of me before sitting down with hers. “There’s a whole lot more I could say, but I won’t.” She takes a sip of coffee. “But what chance do you have if you don’t take it? Honey, you wait much longer and she’s going to end up with someone else, and you’ll have a lifetime of kicking yourself.”

“It’s a bigger risk than I think I can take.”

“No, it’s not.” She leans in and covers my hand with hers. “I want to see my boy happy. Lani Hunt makes you happy. Just like you make her happy. Don’t you think there’s a reason she hasn’t settled down herself? All of her brothers have, and the good Lord knows there’s been men who’ve tried to get her to settle down.”

“There have? Who?” Jealousy snakes through my thoughts.

My mom grins. “Got you.”

“Mom.” I groan. “You’re killing me.”

“All I’m saying is ask. It can’t hurt. If things don’t work out, or she doesn’t feel the same—which would be crazy, you’re a catch—then no harm done. Go back to friends.”

“Can we talk about something—anything—else?”

“If you agree to take a chance, then maybe.” She smiles before taking another drink of coffee.

“Fine. I agree. Good?”

“Good.”

“Now. How are things around here? You haven’t asked me to fix anything in a while.”

“There hasn’t been anything to fix,” she says. “Everything is in tip-top shape.”

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