“Oh dear,” Clare said, crossing her legs and leaning in closer. “Soircha, you better check on the tea.”

“I didn’t hear anything,” the girl replied.

“Check on it.”

“Fine.” Soircha reluctantly pulled herself off the couch and slumped back into the kitchen.

She felt weird discussing Clare’s estranged husband with her, but in an effort of fully disclosing all the drama, Antonia went ahead. “I understand that he’s stressed out with the idea of his father back in his life. And then there’s the stuff about his tenure review. I get it. I just wanted him to say...”

“That he loves you,” Clare finished. She didn’t appear to be upset about the news regarding Liam. “Even with all his degrees, the boy still can’t manage three little words.”

“At the very least, I needed him to tell me to stay,” she said with a shrug. “Also, I want to say that I’m sorry that we’re talking about your husband in this context.”

Aiden’s mother waved away her concern. “Oh dear me, if I worried about that man, I’d be in a constant state, wouldn’t I? I’ve not worried for Liam Byrnes since he left in 1995. Now, what’s this about your job?”

Antonia looked up to the ceiling. She swallowed hard and bit back the tears. “I told him that I might go back to the job that fired me. At one point, he told me that I should focus on the thing that made me happy; being a writer. Last night, he told me to go take the job.”

“And what do you want?”

She shrugged helplessly. “My interview was today,” she said. “And here I am, trying for a shot at love.”

“Of course,” Clare said. From where Antonia sat, she could tell the woman was trying to contain her excitement. “A woman’s career is important, but you’ve already done publishing. You’re probably meant to write a book, don’t you think?”

“I’m not taking the job,” Antonia said, finally bursting into tears. “I do want to write my book. I want to finish the damn thing and be happy with myself for once.”

She heard the whistle of the teakettle and Soircha banging around the cabinets. “The tea is ready.”

There was silence in the living room. The only sound was Antonia’s quiet sniffling. It felt good to confess what was weighing heavy on her heart. Although she didn’t know Aiden’s mother from Adam, her calm presence made it easier to cry and talk. They waited for Soircha to bring in the tea tray. Only then, did Antonia feel comfortable enough to take a cookie and eat through her tears. “Thank you both for listening to me. I feel so stupid.”

“Oh no, dear,” Clare said, getting up from her chair and coming around the coffee table. She edged Antonia and Soircha down the couch and sat down. “You mustn’t feel like that.”

Antonia sat between Aiden’s mother and niece, crying and eating a soggy cookie. She still felt like a prize idiot. “What will I do?” she asked.