Page 113 of Penalty Shot

“She’s loved you for a while, hasn’t she? Not only as a friend.”

“I was blind to it. She didn’t want to risk our friendship, either, although there’s beensomethingbetween us for the last couple of years. Nothing concrete, but an awareness of each other that wasn’t there before. Does that make sense?”

My entire life, my mother knew the answers. She taught me how to follow my dreams and how to overcome my failures. Whether it was food or a hug or advice, Ma was ready to provide exactly what I needed.

Even when my father passed away and she was at her most depressed, she found a way out of the darkness for both of us.

Now,she’saskingmeif falling in love and finding joy makes sense?

I tear up a little because for once I have what she most needs: affirmation.

“Yes, it makes sense! More than that! Loving each other fully and honestly is meant to be. You’re friends and lovers…” I pausebecause she hadn’t disclosed all the details, and I shouldn’t assume.

“We are. We, um, we are,” she says, her deepened blush confirming that Sienna is her partner in every way.

“I’m so happy for you. When did you know you were bi?”

“I fell in love with your father and built a life with him. A person’s gender was never the primary reason I found them attractive. So, when you put me on those dating sites, I realized I was equally curious about the women as I was about the men.”

I can’t help but groan at my missteps.

“I bet Sienna hated me for that. Randall said I was out of line. I should apologize to you and to her.”

Ma lets out a giggle and I raise a disbelieving brow. She’s always freely expressed laughter, but giggling like a schoolgirl is new.

Oh, how love changes us all.

“Actually, the whole dating profile is what pushed her to tell me everything. If she never confessed how jealous she was, how much longer would it have taken to get our feelings out in the open?”

“Aha! My bumbling efforts were not in vain.”

“You should still have a talk with her about it. She’s not mad at you, although she’s worried about how you’ll take the news.”

“Worried? Is she kidding? I’m ecstatic. We should have you and Sienna over for dinner. A double date. Oh my god, that would be incredible.”

“It would.”

“How does this change things at work?”

“We have an appointment with human resources. I’m her boss, so we’ll have to sign all the consent agreements. She’ll move to another branch across town.”

“Well, since you won’t see her at work, maybe she’ll have to spend more time with you at home.”

“Maybe,” she agrees coyly.

“And now that your daughter isn’t around, you can really go wild.”

“Ordering the party lights and DJ as soon as we’re done here,” she deadpans.

“Ma, that’s not a house party, that’s a wedding!”

She chokes on the water she was gulping. When she clears her throat she gives me an amused side-eye.

“Don’t get any ideas. Randall was right that you stuck your nose into my business by starting a dating profile. No more messing with other people’s love life. Promise?”

“Are you sure? It’s never too early to check out venues for next summer,” I tease, holding my phone up like a prop.

“Elise!”