Sophia slammed the door shut and padded over to where her daughter stood. “No, I don’t think you told me you were coming by. Can’t I just be happy to see you?”
Zoe pushed herself up to the tips of her toes, her ponytail brushing her shoulder blades, and grunted. “You can, but what’s the occasion?”
“Someday, if you decide to become a mom, you’ll understand.”
Zoe retrieved two plates and spun around to give her mother an amused look. “Okay, you’re really going to love what I have to say next.”
Sophia tore off a piece of the croissant and held it out to Teddy. “What am I going to love?”
“At Uncle Frankie’s fake retirement party, I talked to Aunt Heather and him about my internship. We agreed that I’m going to be interning there for one month, but I’m also going to be doing online courses.”
Sophia paused. “Why the change of heart?”
Zoe leaned over the counter and nibbled on the edges of her bagel. “The habitat program doesn’t sound as appealing anymore, and it’s so far away. I don’t know. I think Zac’s enthusiasm just got to me.”
Sophia searched her face. “Are you sure it has nothing to do with the guy you’ve been seeing?”
“Logan has nothing to do with my decision,” Zoe maintained, in spite of the flush stealing across her cheeks. “I mean, Ihavethought about the fact that it would be easier for us to date if I wasn’t on another continent, but I don’t want that to be the only reason I don’t go.”
Sophia nodded and tore off another piece of her croissant. “Good, because while I think love is a beautiful thing, it’s not something you put your life on hold for.”
“I know, Mom. You taught me better than that.”
“Have I? I sound like a wise and cool mom.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Not when you say it like that, you’re not.”
Sophia’s lips twitched. “Come on, you can admit that your mom is cool. I got you to tell me the guy’s name, didn’t I? How do you know I won’t stalk him now?”
Zoe pushed herself off the counter and went to the fridge. “Mom, I say this with love, but you’re terrible at social media. You and I both know that you’re not going to be able to find his profile, much less do a deep dive on him.”
Sophia popped the food into her mouth. “I could’ve gotten really good at it since you moved out.”
“Please don’t embarrass me, Mom.” Zoe took out the pitcher of orange juice and set it down on the counter. Then she retrieved two glasses and poured them a generous amount. “I really like this guy, okay? And I think there might be a future with him, so we can’t both come on too strong.”
Sophia chuckled. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t scare him off till you bring him over for dinner. And when he meets your father, I’ll be an angel in comparison.”
Zoe threw her head back and groaned.
Chapter Nineteen
“What do you mean you locked yourself out of the house?” Sophia switched the phone from one ear to the other and cradled it between her neck and shoulders. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
“I had the morning off,” Darren replied with a grunt. “And I can’t break in because the security alarm will go off.”
Sophia stopped whisking the batter. “I don’t understand how you even got locked out.”
“I didn’t close the door properly, and Teddy got out, so I ran out after him. That’s all there is to it.”
“Is Teddy alright?”
“He’s fine,” Darren said through gritted teeth. “Can you stop sounding so amused and come open the door?”
“I never said I found this amusing.”
“I can hear it in your voice,” Darren told her with another grunt. “The neighbors are going to think I’m breaking in or something. Can you please hurry?”
With that, Sophia hung up and set the whisk back down. After popping her head into Nora’s office and explaining the situation, the owner of the bakery waved her off without ever looking up from her computer. In the locker room, Sophiauntied the apron, threw it in the locker, and grabbed her purse. Then she raced out the backdoor that led into an alleyway and went around to her car.
