Page 76 of Estranged Heart

“You okay?”

I take a moment to think about his question and I’m more than okay. I’m ready for him to meet my mom. But as what? A friend? My date?

As if reading my mind, Elijah pulls me into his side and kisses my ear. “It’s okay. We don’t have to say anything you’re not ready for.”

Relief floods me, and when we reach the porch he strokes my cheek. “Thanks for joining me for dinner.”

“And thanks for tricking me into letting you pay again.”

A gruff laugh escapes his lips. “Got your knee pads ready for tomorrow?”

“Nah. I figure every time I fall, you can throw your body underneath mine instead.”

Another laugh has him shaking and he kisses my nose. “I’ll see you when I get out of work.”

Leaning into one another, our lips lightly brush, and the door snicking open has us jumping apart.

“I was wondering when you were getting in. I saved you some dinner in the microwave in case you haven’t eaten yet.” Mom’s eyes bounce between us.

“Oh, hey Ma. This is Elijah. He picked me up from work and we went to eat at that new Mexican restaurant down the road.”

Tilting her head, her eyes spark in curiosity. “Elijah. I see you decided to bring him to the door this time. It’s nice to meet you. It’s good to see my son making new friends.”

Elijah’s cheeks tint and he sticks out his hand. “Nice meeting you too, and your son was a great help with finding the perfect flower arrangements recently for my husband’s funeral.”

My mom freezes halfway through shaking his hand, her lips turning down a little in the corners. “I’m sorry to hear about your loss, but happy my son was able to help you during such a tough time.” She releases his hand, staring between us again as if hoping our body language will tell her what our words aren’t. “Would you like to come in for some tea?”

“That sounds . . .” Elijah shoots me a quick glance and then nods when he sees no objection in my eyes. “I’d love to.”

“Great. You boys hurry in before you let all the cool air out.”

Eyeing each other nervously, we follow her inside, and Elijah rubs my lower back, releasing some tension in my body. His hand retracts when we reach the kitchen and my mom is turning toward us again.

“I’m guessing your recent favorite is okay?” My mom gives me a knowing expression.

“Yeah, Lavender. Or Chamomile. I’ll take either one.”

Elijah’s eyes widen and he forces a smile when my mom asks what kind of tea he likes. “We have green tea, black tea . . .”

“Elijah likes coffee,” I interrupt.

“Coffee? This late?”

“Yeah. He’s a lot like how I used to be before you know . . . I switched teams,” I say between chuckles, pulling down three cups. I mean that in more ways than one, causing Elijah to lift his hand to his mouth.

“Coffee it is then. Cream and sugar?”

“I don’t want to be any trouble. If tea is easier, I’ll take whatever Silas is having.”

My mom waves him off, walking over to the counter holding the coffee pot. “It’s no trouble at all. I don’t want to make you drink something you don’t want to drink, and I think I’ll have some coffee too.”

I turn on the kettle after adding water and join Elijah at the table, leaving our mugs behind on the counter.

An awkward silence stretches between the three of us in the kitchen, and my mom’s the first to break it when she silences the whistling noise of the kettle. “So, what is it you do for work, Elijah?”

“I run, uh . . . own a bookstore and two restaurants. Well, the restaurants were my husband’s and I’ve been doing my best to keep them going.”

“A bookstore and two restaurants? You’re a busy man.”