CIAN
I stared at my mother. My mind went blank for a second before the implication of that single name hit me square in the chest.
"Mother," I said slowly. "Get your mind out of the gutter."
She raised one eyebrow. The gesture was so familiar it almost made me laugh. Almost.
"Madeline was here for one reason and one reason alone," I continued. "To help you. That's it."
My mother's lips pressed together. Not quite a smile. Not quite disapproval either. Something in between that I couldn't read.
"I was just surprised to see her back," she said. Her voice was light but there was weight underneath it. "Considering the mess that happened between you two."
I let go of her hand and leaned back. The wood creaked under me. "It was just a stupid breakup. Nothing more. You used to like Madeline well enough."
"Yes," my mother said. She didn't hesitate. "Yes, I did."
I waited. There was more coming. I could feel it in the pause she left hanging between us.
