"You are friends, yes?"
"We were friends. Now we're more than friends."
She tilted her head. "My boy . . . first tells me months ago he only wants friends with you. You changed his mind?"
"No. He changed mine. But we wouldn't be where we are now if we hadn't been friends first." I exhaled a nervous breath. "The truth is, Mrs. Lund, I wasn't looking for a boyfriend or a relationship. For the past six years I've lived a two-dimensional life. There's my son and my work. At the end of the day, if I tuck my child in bed and he has a smile on his face, then it's been a good day. I haven't looked beyond having that because it's been enough." I paused. "Then I met Jensen. He showed me there's more to me, to the life I-we-could have with him, while respecting the life I already have. So my two-dimensional world is now 3D."
"He gives that to you. But what do you give to him?"
Wow. Mama Lund played hardball. "I ask myself the same thing. What does he see in me? He's sweet and thoughtful. He's funny. But he's also bossy and used to getting his way. He's so damn . . . tenacious. He had so much patience with me when I hesitated for us to become more than friends. He claims he knew it-I'd-be worth the wait. As a single mother, I'm overly cautious when it comes to bringing someone new into our lives. Because mine is not the only heart that gets broken if things end badly. My son's would too." I locked my gaze to hers. "Which is why Jensen is the first man I've welcomed into our family and our hearts."
She studied me but said nothing.
That kept me talking. "I don't blame you for questioning my motives. I'd do the same thing in your position. I don't know what the future holds for Jensen and me. But I do know that I'll fight to have a future with him because he's the most amazing man I've ever met. I only hope I'm doing as great a job raising my son as you've done raising yours."
She slowly stood.
It felt like an eternity before she spoke. "You give him that."
"What?"
"Acceptance. That he's more than athlete. More than rich, bored playboy. More than man of looks, charm and muscles. You show him his true worth. A man who can love without limits in ways that even he didn't know he was capable of."
Tears pooled in my eyes. "You really think so?"
"I'm his mother. I know so. You see inside to his heart and soul. Not just outer trippings."
I snickered. "You mean the outer trappings?"
"Yah, that."
"Thank you, Mrs. Lund."
"Thank you for putting happy sparkle in my son's eyes. Now we hug it out."
The woman gave good hugs. And she smelled great.
She patted my cheeks. "No more Mrs. Lund, yah? Call me Selka."
The door to the playground opened and kids rushed out. I stepped to the side and waved so Calder could see me.
He skipped over, happily singing to himself.
That familiar burst of love expanded in my chest. I crouched down to hug him.
"Astrid said you were out here, Mommy." Then he noticed Selka Lund standing next to me. He tipped his head back and studied her.
"Calder, this is-"
"Hey, you're Rocketman's mom. He showed me your picture in his kitchen."
"He did?"
"Yeah. Do you really got your very own pool?"
She laughed. "Yes. With a slide and everything. Come over to swim anytime."
Calder started to bounce. "Really?"
"Really and truly."
"And you'll make cookies? Jensen said you make the best Swedish cookies in the world."
I started to remind him of his manners, but Selka spoke first.
"Of course. All boys need cookies."
"That would be awesome!" He launched himself at Selka, giving her an impromptu hug. "I can't wait to tell Jensen!"
When he stepped back, I noticed he'd left black smears on her pants. In three places.
Selka noticed too. She tried brushing it off.
In five seconds Calder had ruined a pair of pants that probably cost more than I made in five weeks. "I'm so sorry. I'll pay for the dry cleaning, and if they're stained I'll pay to replace them-"
"Hush." Selka trapped my face between her hands. "Hugs from sweet boys are always worth more than fabric and thread."
My jaw would've dropped if she hadn't held my face.
"I miss messy little boys. This is happy reminder of those days." She kissed my forehead and released me. She crouched in front of Calder.
He blurted out, "I'm sorry!"
"It's okay. How about you ask your mama if I can push you on the swings?"
"Really?"
"Really and truly."
Calder looked at me. "Mommy, can I?"
"Sure. But we have to leave in ten minutes."
Selka held out her hand, and I'll be damned if Calder didn't take it and start chattering to her like he'd known her for years as he skipped away. I said, "Unreal," out loud.