Speaking of Cassidy, she declined my offer for a ride here and rode with Lola and Silas instead. She mentioned something along the lines of finding new friends. Which I get. Working so much, she doesn’t get out much. Neither Grace nor Lola work at the bar, but they hang out at Twisted Fox like it’s their second job, and she spends time with them during her breaks.

Everyone’s attention shifts to the front door when it flies open.

Forgetting what Lola said, we yell, “Surprise!”

False alarm.

Instead of the birthday boy coming into view, it’s my mother and grandparents. I smile, appreciative that Georgia included them. My mom has gone through hell the past few years, and with my father gone, she’s lonely. When Archer and I were younger, we hardly spent time with our parents. Now, I check on my mother a few times a week, have dinner with her, watch movies—anything to get her mind off her loss.

“Wrong person.” My mother’s brown eyes widen with concern about ruining the surprise. “Although I’m sure Archer won’t be upset about missing the surprise part.” She struts into the house, and her heels clack against the wood floor. A Prada bag hangs off her shoulder, and she’s wearing a white pantsuit.

To a lake house.

Josephine Callahan doesn’t do casual.

Hell, I’m not sure she even owns a pair of jeans.

Designer pantsuits and dresses are her fashion choice.

Behind her are my grandparents, walking hand in hand.

“Although I did enjoy a greeting like that.” My grandmother—barely wrinkled with the help of Botox—scrunches her face as she grins.

The room erupts in laughter.

Cassidy lifts on her tiptoes next to me and whispers, “Is that your mom?”

I nod at the same time my mother reaches us. Cassidy retreats a step, allowing my mom room to wrap her arms around me in a hug and smack a kiss to my cheek.

Before the incident, my mother wasn’t a hugger.

Kissing cheeks was more of a formality than maternal.

My father’s death changed her.

Changed her outlook on life and she tapped into her inner self.

Same shit with me.

“Okay, you’re absolutely gorgeous,” Cassidy blurts out.

My mother beams at the compliment, her pearly veneers showing.

I hold in a chuckle and gesture to Cassidy. “Mom, this is Cassidy. Cassidy, this is my mother, Josephine.”

“Oh, I like her. Are you two …?” She signals back and forth between us.

“Not yet,” Cassidy answers before I can. “Your son is quite stubborn.”

My mother offers me a nod of encouragement as Lola calls Cassidy over.

Cassidy holds out her hand toward my mother. “It’s really nice meeting you. I can’t wait for us to shop for my wedding dress when the day comes.”

My mother squeezes her hand once and then twice while grinning at her.