Chapter Two- Engaged?

-Veronica Langford-

I have to admit spending time with my mom was fun. She gave me a tour of her beach house, we went out to the beach and sunbathed. I almost forgot how 'gen z' she was. For a woman in her forties, she had the energy of someone half her age, always up for trying new trends, binge-watching N*****x shows, and effortlessly keeping up with social media like a pro.

We were back home in the kitchen, where she was preparing dinner for her “special guest,” and I was helping. She hummed to herself as she chopped vegetables, her smile radiant. I couldn’t help but steal glances at her, curious about this mysterious man who seemed to have her so excited

“You seem pretty excited to see this guy,” I teased, arranging the plates and cutlery. Her smile was brighter than I had ever seen it.

“Oh, Veronica, you have no idea! He’s just... so different,” she gushed, barely able to contain herself.

“Different how?” I probed, narrowing my eyes playfully. “I mean, I’ve heard you say that before. Remember the guy from last summer? The one who ‘changed your life,’ and then you didn’t even call him after a week?”

“Oh come on, that was just one time” she defended, but I had many, many other examples

“And the guy from spring, the guy you met at the club, the guy that had a child and the one tha-” I kept naming countless men that she had seen while I was here and that she said were different

“Okay Ronnie. I get it” She laughed, a light, hearty sound. “I promise this one is completely different from others. You’re going to love him. This one’s serious, I promise.”

“Uh-uhhh” I hummed, not convinced at all

I wiped my hands on a dish towel and leaned against the counter. “So, what’s with the surprise you were talking about this morning?”

“Patience, sweetheart,” she winked, stirring the pot of pasta sauce on the stove. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

'Soon enough' turned out to be fifteen minutes later when the doorbell rang. My mom’s face lit up, her entire demeanor shifting as if she’d been waiting for this moment all day.

“He’s here!” she squealed, wiping her hands on her apron before taking it off and rushing to the door. I followed her out of the kitchen, curious as ever. I wanted to see the man that she termed “completely different"

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but as soon as she opened the door, my breath caught in my throat.

Standing there was a man—no, the man. He was tall, probably in his late twenties, with dark, slicked-back hair that framed his chiseled face. His jawline was sharp, his nose straight, and his eyes, a striking shade of brown that seemed to pierce right through me as they met mine. Dressed in a tailored black suit that hugged his muscular frame, he looked like he had just stepped off a fashion runway.

I couldn’t help but stare. He was... handsome. Way too handsome and young for a man my mom was dating. My pulse raced as I tried to tear my gaze away, but it was almost impossible. There was something about him that had my attention immediately locked. I watched my mom hug him and plant a little kiss on his lips before she held his hand and turned to me

“Veronica, this is Joshua,” my mom said. “Joshua, this is my daughter, Veronica.”

“Daughter? I didn't know you had a daughter?” Joshua whispered to her, wide-eyed

“I’m so sorry I never said anything before. I… I just thought you’d be alarmed and-”

“Hey, hey. It’s fine for real. I’m okay with you having a daughter, it doesn't change how I feel about you.” he said, touching the side of my mom’s face. “I just reacted because she has such a striking resemblance to you. Almost like a mini you” he laughed and then turned to me

“Veronica, it’s nice to meet you,” he said, his voice deep and low, making me weak at the knees. He extended his hand, and I hesitated for a second before taking it. The warmth of his hand against mine sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.

“Ni..nice to meet you too,” I managed, forcing a polite smile. Our eyes lingered on each other a while

“Josh, why don’t you come in? Dinner’s almost ready,” my mom chimed, grabbing his arm so excitedly as she led him into the living room. I stood there for a moment, still stunned, my mind racing.

This was the guy she’d been raving about? This unbelievably attractive man?

Well, this was the first time she was dating a younger man. I rolled my eyes inwardly, convincing myself this would blow over in a week.

Shaking off my daze, I headed back to the kitchen. My mom and Joshua were already settled at the dining table, engrossed in conversation. As I moved around the kitchen, I could feel his eyes on me. I tried to act natural, but it became harder by the second.

During dinner, my mom asked me the usual questions about my summer plans and college, while Joshua chimed in with occasional comments. But every time he spoke, I found myself fixated on his voice, his words and his lips. Damn it, he was too attractive for his own good.

After dinner, my mom stood up with a wide grin on her face, and I knew something was about to happen.

“I have an announcement,” she said, practically vibrating with excitement.

I raised my brows a little suspicious. What did she want to say now?

“It’s about the surprise I told you about earlier” she said, trying to pull out something from her jacket pocket. She pulled a small velvet box from her pocket and opened it, revealing a diamond ring.

My heart stopped.

“Joshua and I are engaged!” she exclaimed, showing off the ring with the kind of enthusiasm you’d expect from a teenager.

Engaged? What did she mean engaged?

I blinked, trying to process her words. Joshua stood up, sliding an arm around her waist, smiling down at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

I felt a pit in my stomach. This wasn’t happening. This can’t be happening.