In the span of a six-minute phone call her mother had chastened her for not paying proper attention and then she’d complimented her and also underlined for Tuesday how much her parents loved her.

“You’re like the Jedi Lord of mothering. You know that, right?”

Diana laughed, clearly touched. “That’s a good one. I’m going to have to add it to the list. Thank you, baby. I sure do love you.”

“Love you, too.”

“Going to be a full house. GJ and Alana, Shawn and Tisha. All the kids.”

Her older brothers and their families lived in Seattle. She saw them frequently as her niece and nephews were all active in after-school activities so Tuesday spent a lot of dutiful auntie time in school gyms and multipurpose rooms along with huddling in the rain watching games of all sorts.

It pleased Tuesday to know they’d all be coming down to help celebrate her birthday.

“Will Natalie be coming? I think it’s far beyond time she bring this boy to meet us. Your father was just saying he hoped she didn’t plan to make any rash decisions until he’d had the chance to look the boy over.”

Nat would be so touched to hear about this conversation. It didn’t matter that Patrick Hurley was in his thirties, he’d be a boy to them. And until he passed her father’s muster, he’d never be referred to by name.

“I’ll ask her. She’s here now.”

“We’ll hang on. Is the boy there?”

Tuesday wisely withheld a giggle. “Yes, Paddy’s here with Natalie.” She paused and then just leaped forward. “I’m seeing someone. I’m going to ask him to come along. He may not be able to. I just wanted to let you know so you made enough food.”

Oh my god.

She’d just babbled so badly her mother would totally know everything Tuesday didn’t want to address.

“Are you now?”

“I didn’t tell you yet because I didn’t actually know what it was until recently.” An hour ago. Maybe two weeks earlier when she’d asked him to the mountains and he’d said yes. Or before. Maybe. Probably.

It wasn’t that Ezra knew. He was freaked the fuck out. She saw it out on the trail. Scared and ashamed and guilt laden. And God help her, she wanted him to let her in. Wanted to soothe him and pet him. Wanted to poke at him until he saw the truth of what they were to one another.

She shook her head. It didn’t matter. “I wanted to tell you in person but he’s here so when I go out to ask Natalie, I’ll invite everyone.”

“All right.”

Her mother not homing in on something this potentially juicy? She clearly had other plans. Not knowing was sort of scary.

“I’ll call you right back. I promise.”

“You’d best.”

Tuesday hung up and tucked her phone into a pocket. Loopy looked up from her place at Ezra’s feet.

“Hey, Loop.”

“Did Diana yell at you?” Nat teased.

“She called and left a voice mail last night. I meant to call her today but my schedule wasn’t compatible with hers.” Tuesday snickered. “Your presence has been requested for the official birthday dinner feast not this coming weekend but the Saturday after. I’ve also been instructed to inform you the boy needs to be brought around for inspection. Greg says you best not be making any hasty decisions until Patrick passes muster.”

Paddy raised a brow Natalie’s way.

“Greg and Diana are Tuesday’s parents. They’re sort of like mine, too, in some ways,” Nat explained.

Tuesday looked to Ezra. “I don’t know what your schedule looks like so it’s cool if you’re busy, but if you aren’t, there’s a seat at the table for you. My mom is making butter chicken and aloo gobi. For this alone, you should come. But also, my birthday cake is always double chocolate, chocolate chip cake with chocolate frosting. My dad is the baker. He is sort of genius with roofs and with baking.”

She probably should stop speaking.

He smiled at her, slow and easy. To an outsider it was a nice smile. But she saw the pleasure there. The sight of that brought her shoulders down a little as she lost some of the anxiety she’d had.

“I’m not busy on Saturday. Or, well I guess I am now. We staying over? Or should I get a hotel and we pretend we’re not sleeping together?”

She and Natalie both burst out laughing. “They’re super old-fashioned in some ways. But not that one. Their house will be full already, though. Both my brothers who live in Seattle will be there with their wives and kids. We can get a hotel room and then I won’t feel weird.”

“Heaven forfend you feel weird.” Natalie winked.

“Hush up or I’ll tell them you and Paddy need a place to sleep and you’ll get the garage with the air bed. You can try to sleep while my dad watches reruns of Hill Street Blues and cracks peanuts over your head.”

“You are evil. That’s all I gotta say.” Natalie said this but through a gale of laughter so it wasn’t like Tuesday took it seriously.

“I’ll be right back. I told them I’d ask and then call again.”

“You can call in here,” Ezra said.

“If my mother ever thought I was having a phone conversation in a room full of people who were my guests she’d kick my butt. Plus they’re going to ask questions about you and I need to answer and not blush. If I do, she’ll hear it in my tone.”