Chapter Seventeen: Cam

I was working peacefully in my office when, without warning, my mother barged in. "We're having lunch together," she announced, leaving no room for argument. Her surprise visits were nothing new, usually accompanied by an attempt to set me up on another blind date. But today felt different. A nagging feeling in my gut told me this wasn’t going to be just another lunch.

I finished my work as quickly as possible, handing over the remaining tasks to Emma before following my mother out. As we drove, she asked me to call June. I shook my head, making an excuse about her being busy with work. But Mother wasn’t having it. She insisted. Sighing, I sent June a text: Are you free? My mom wants to have lunch with you.

Minutes passed. Five. Ten. No response. Just as I was about to text her again, my mother spoke, her eyes fixed outside the window. "Isn't that June?"