new. And what if it didn’t work out? That didn’t seem likely at the moment. They were getting along beautifully. But they were living in a cocoon, without her children as part of it, which wasn’t entirely realistic given how close she was to them. She and Scott wanted time to themselves before they let the world in.
Kate opened the door and Anthony gave her an enormous hug. “I’m going to miss you, Mom. We’ll talk on FaceTime. And I’ll be home in six months for a nice long visit. Grandma says you’ll come over on a trip. That was a great party last night. We loved it.” As he said it, Scott wandered into the room, looking impeccably put together, in jeans and a long sleeved blue shirt, his hair neatly combed, and loafers without socks.
“You have a guest?” Anthony looked startled, and Scott smiled and extended a hand, as smooth as silk, with a broad smile.
“Scott White. You must be Anthony. Your mother and I have been working on a case together for the past few months, I dropped by to get some papers from her. I hear you’re going to India. That’s very exciting.”
“I’m opening an office there for my company. I came to say goodbye to my mom. We’re leaving tomorrow.” He turned his attention to Kate then, and didn’t seem the least put out by Scott being there. Scott was an easy person to have around anyway. He went out to the kitchen to leave them alone. “New man in your life?” he whispered to his mother, with a faintly mischievous look, and she shook her head.
“Old work friend,” she whispered back. She was lying, but not ready to tell him. “We just finished a case. We’re wrapping it up.” He had never seen his mother entertain anyone in her bathrobe, even an old friend, but he didn’t have time to discuss it with her. He looked like a nice guy anyway.
“I’m going to miss you,” she said, as they sat down for a few minutes. “Take care of yourself, sweetheart.”
“I love you, Mom. And don’t let that little beast with the big belly push you around. She seems better these days.” Kate nodded, drinking in her last glimpse of the son she loved so much. He stood up then. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you when we get there.”
“Let me know how Alicia’s auditions go,” she reminded him, and they hugged for a last time in the doorway. She held him tight and he did the same. “I’m so proud of you. I love you,” she said again, as he got on the elevator and then he was gone, and tears rolled down her cheeks as she walked back into the apartment and found Scott in the kitchen. He looked up when she walked in and saw that she was crying. He got up and put his arms around her and held her close.
“He’s a sweet kid. You can see it in his eyes. He’s a nice boy.” He looked like a boy to Scott, not a man, and he was obviously devoted to his mother.
“Thank you for getting dressed,” she said with a smile.
“Did he say anything about me?”
“He asked who you were. I said you were a work friend. He wasn’t worried about it, and he’s all wrapped up in leaving tomorrow. He asked if you were a new man in my life, and I said no. I hate lying to him, but I think you’re right. It’s too soon to tell them, and he’s leaving now anyway. I’ll tell him on FaceTime when we tell the others. I can always say it just got started whenever it is.” Scott nodded and smiled at her.
“I’m going to enjoy getting to know him. He looks like a big kid. The girls scare me a little more, especially Claire.”
“She’s not great at the moment, but Tammy is a sweetheart. They’re both pregnant, by the way.”
“Who? Both?” He looked puzzled.
“Tammy and Stacey. Stacey did the insemination with her, and now they’re both pregnant. They’re turning into a baby factory.” She smiled and sat down at the kitchen table across from him. “Are you going to be able to put up with us?” she asked him and he nodded.
“As long as I get my share of you, I’ll be fine. I don’t care how many babies they have. You’re my baby, Kate, and the only one I want.”
“Then that should work just