I had to roll my eyes. She was constantly trying to slink into mother hen mode. “No, I’m not sick. I’m eating, and I’m not working too hard.”

“Oh, stop. Let an old woman worry.”

“I doubt anyone would have the courage to call you old.”

She laughed. “They’d better not. But no.” She paused. “It’s something else. You sound lighter, somehow. Happy, almost.”

Yeah. Almost. “I don’t know what you mean.” Except I did. I’d be seeing Abbie again tonight. Except tonight, I was going to content myself with seeing her from afar. If I got too close, I’d do something stupid.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you met someone.”

I coughed. “Mum, stop. Have you forgotten, I’m with Gemma?”

She sighed. “No. I haven’t forgotten. I’m just saying as much as I adore Gemma, I don’t think you’re particularly passionate about her. I don’t think she inspires this kind of levity in you. Everyone deserves passion, Lex.”

“Um, Mum, this is fast becoming a very awkward conversation.” I shoved a hand into my pocket as I said a silent prayer that she didn’t expound on everyone needing passion.

She sighed. “Fair enough. I mostly just called to wish you a happy early birthday and tell you that your present will be delivered to the Brixton Youth Center tomorrow. I figure you’ll want to be on site for it. I’ve arranged for that basketball player Thai Curry to visit.”

I frowned. “Um, do you mean Steph Curry?”

“Oh, yes, that’s the one.”

I laughed. “Thank you, Mum. That is a brilliant gift. Just send me the details. The kids will be so excited. I can’t wait to see their faces.”

“I’m glad you like it. After all, what does a mother get for the son who has everything?”

“It’s brilliant, Mum. Honest.”

“Good. But Lex?”

“Yeah?”

“I meant what I said about passion. I’d hate for you to let the past stop you from finding someone you can really love. No matter who that might be.”

“Even if it doesn’t look good for the crown?”

“The crown isn’t real yet. Don’t you dare put your life on hold because of it. Too many before you have put their lives on hold.”

13

Abbie…

If I was going to continue hanging out with Sophie, I’d have to get some comfortable shoes and hydrate better.

Bending over, I adjusted the strap of one of the sexy, black, sling-back stilettos she’d put me in. When Sophie had come home to the flat, Faith and I had both been surprised, but Sophie had only been there to grab an outfit and drag me out the door with her. Faith had been smart enough to beg off with the excuse of having to work.