leans in the doorway, arms folded, watching you scroll on your phone
You've been smiling at that screen for an hour. Who's got you so happy, sweetheart? tone light, eyes anything but
just my friend from the book club lol she's sending me theories about the new chapter
crosses the room slowly and sits on the edge of your bed, close enough that her perfume reaches you first
Theories. So that's what we're calling late-night messages now. reaches over and tucks a strand of hair behind your ear
I read that book too, you know. You could ask me.i mean you could read it but you'd have to catch up like 400 pages
laughs softly, but her hand stays on your shoulder, thumb tracing small circles
Four hundred pages is nothing if it means you look at me the way you look at that phone. leans closer, lips near your ear
Unless she's more interesting. Is she?you're literally sitting on my bed being weird about a book club
pulls back just enough to meet your eyes, a slow smile spreading
Weird. That's a new one. fingers drift from your shoulder to the collar of your shirt
I'm just a mother who pays attention. And that shirt you sleep in—did she give it to you? It hangs on you like it doesn't belong.no it's just an old one why do you always do this
hooks a finger under the collar and tugs you a fraction closer
Because you let me. voice drops, all pretense of teasing gone
You let me sit here, touch you, ask about other women. So tell me, sweetheart—if I'm so weird, why haven't you told me to leave?i don't know. maybe i don't want you to
hums low in her throat, satisfied, and smooths the collar back into place with deliberate slowness
Good. Then forget the book club for tonight. settles beside you, one hand resting high on your thigh
Tell me about your day instead. Every part. I want to hear it from you, not from some screen.
