Page 13 of Honeyed

The camaraderie between these two women who share motherhood in a way I don’t yet makes me ache with want and jealousy. Of course, I wish nothing but the best for both of them, but I thought by now I’d be on the path to what Cassandra is experiencing. I’ve always wanted a family just like the one I grew up in, but it seemed so far off now that I am at the age where it could begin.

“Mom, do you have iced tea in here?” I need to stop this discussion in its tracks.

“Right side,” Mom instructs, and I pull open the other door of the fridge.

“Thank you for finishing out the tips last night, it was so nice to have Patrick home early,” Cass thanks me.

“We need another waitress or two on those weekend dinner rushes.” Mom shakes her head. “Everyone is getting burned out by them, and with you all starting families—”

I nearly choke on the iced tea I just poured. “Ma, one person. One grandchild and she acts like we’re all knocked up.”

Because she clearly can’t know what Warren asked me last night. My mother knows all, but she isn’t psychic.

“Oh, I know, I know. But I’m just saying. Soon enough, one of my other children will be married and having babies, and we just need more bodies in there serving food.” She tuts as if this is fact.

Cass chuckles because we all know Mom wants a horde of grandbabies running across her floors. “Was it late by the time you got out of there?”

I shake my head. “No. Warren actually helped me, so it didn’t take too long.”

“He did?” Mom raises an eyebrow in Cass’s direction, as if I’m not even there to witness it.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, he did, Ma.”

“So you two are speaking again?” Cass broaches cautiously.

“Why does everyone act like it’s some big thing?” I know I’m acting idiotic, but I can’t help it with what he told me last night.

“Because it is.” Mom sees right through me as she adds chocolate chips to the batch she’s stirring in a mixing bowl. “You two have been attached at the hip for years, and then go months without talking? Yeah, it’s a big deal you went over to his apartment.”

“Did you hash everything out?” Cass asks, raising an eyebrow.

“You two are the biggest gossips I know.” I roll my eyes.

“Am not. I’ll tell it straight to you, that’s all. And it’s strange that you and Warren haven’t been chummy. We want to know you two are going to be okay.” Mom nods curtly.

More than okay if he has any say in it. We’ll also be more than friends, except for when we’re behind closed doors. If I was going to be his wife, did he expect we’d …

Oh, hell, now I think I’m blushing in my mother’s kitchen.

“It’s just that you and Warren are solid. I’ve been around a lot of chaotic relationships, Al, and it’s refreshing to see two people who understand each other so well. The way he supports you in everything you do—”

“And puts up with all of your antics no matter how big or small,” Mom adds to Cass’s explanation.

“Yes, that. It’s really great to see two people have that.” She smiles at me, but I see the flash of more knowledge in my sister-in-law’s eyes.

Like she’s plotting something.

“It sets me on edge when you two fight. Come to think of it, you’ve never had a fight this bad. He’s your mirror, my princess. He’s supposed to be in your life forever. I’m just happy you’re back together.”

The words my mother uses hit me everywhere. In the gut, the heart, right between the ears. It strikes me that my entire family is invested in our relationship or friendship, as well. I guess I’ve always known that, but it just now became clear that this fight has been weighing on them, too.

If only they knew what we might be about to enter into. I wonder what my mother will have to say about all that, but there is no way in hell I’m discussing it with her. Cass, maybe. But trying to give them the details without letting them all spill is impossible.

A pang hits my gut; if I agree to marry Warren, I’m going to have to lie to my entire family. We’ll have to successfully play off that we finally gave into the mutual love and attraction instead of creating a union based on money and inheritance.

Mom sighs as she looks down at her phone. “That goddamn woman.”

“Mom!” I gasp because that’s as close to cursing as my mom ever gets. “I’m so proud.”

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