<b>Chapter </b><b>281 </b>


    Yvonne grinned, “Perfect, then the two of us can enjoy a little mother–daughter time. You two go have <i>your </i>date<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Bianca knew Yvonne was giving her an excuse to be alone with Seth, so she took the hint and yed along. “Alright, you two eat. Seth and I will head out for a walk.”


    Seth had no objections–he always let Bianca take the lead.


    Just before Bianca left, Yvonne pulled her aside and discreetly slipped something into her hand.


    Bianca nced down and immediately blushed. “Mom!”


    “Better safe than sorry,” Yvonne hinted, her meaning clear.


    Bianca could only slip the item quickly into her purse. After saying goodbye, she left with Seth.


    Once the kids were gone, the smile faded from Yvonne’s face.


    She pushed aside the dipping sauces Forrest had just mixed for her, eyes narrowing in interrogation. “Alright, out with it. Why the sudden craving for barbecue?”


    Forrest calmly picked up his fork, took a slow bite, and only then replied, “I felt like it, so I did. Does there always have to be a reason?”


    Yvonne stared at him, searching for something beneath the surface.


    But Forrest stayed perfectlyposed, focused on his meal.


    In the end, Yvonne could only grumble, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. And don’t forget, you wouldn’t be where you are today if it weren’t for me!”


    Noreen took Rosalind to her favorite little soup café–the kind that served nourishing broths she


    swore by.


    Partway through their meal, Noreen noticed Rosalind seemed distracted, lost in thought. She asked if she was feeling unwell.


    Rosalind quickly shook her head. “No, I’m fine! You saw my checkup results yourself, didn’t you?”


    “Then why are you so out of it? You’ve been like this ever since we left the barbecue ce.”


    “You’re just being overly sensitive.”


    Noreen hoped she was just imagining things.


    After they finished eating, Noreen called the waiter for the bill, only to be told that a gentleman–Mr. Novak–had already settled it for them.


    Noreen immediately guessed it was Padgett Novak. She texted him a thank you.


    Padgett replied that he happened to be dining nearby with a friend; when he saw her, he took care of their check, but didn’t want to interrupt her lunch with her mother.


    <b>12:26 </b>


    Such a gentleman.


    Even Rosalind was curious. “Mr. Novak? Is he single? What does he look like? What does he do for a living?”


    Noreen sighed. “Mom, are you conducting an interview or something?”


    “I’m not interviewing, I’m matchmaking.”


    “So, this Mr. Novak–he’s one of your suitors, right?”


    Noreen didn’t answer, but Rosalind could tell she’d hit the mark. “When are you going to introduce him to me?<b>” </b>


    “I’m really not interested.” It was the first time Noreen truly understood what it felt like to be nagged about marriage by a parent.


    No wonder Padgett seemed so anxious–maybe it was contagious.


    Rosalind tried to encourage her. “You should give love a chance, honey. Falling in love is a wonderful thing. The best part is having someone who loves you–really loves you.”


    “If that’s so great, why haven’t you found someone for yourself?” <fn1103> Updates are released by fin?novel</fn1103>


    “I’m afraid he’d treat you badly.”


    Rosalind had nevercked admirers, but she’d never epted any of them–she’d always put Noreen first, afraid that a new rtionship might affect her daughter’s upbringing.


    Noreen’s heart softened at that.


    She’d grown up in a single–parent home, but never once felt deprived of love.


    If anything, Rosalind’s love had only ever overflowed.


    On Wednesday, Jennifer Shaw arrived in Rivercrest City.


    Noreen made sure to clear her schedule and invited her out to dinner. She’d originally booked a table at a trendy sushi spot.


    But when Jennifer said she was in the mood for drinks, Noreen switched their reservation to an upscale lounge.


    When they met up, Noreen realized Jennifer had changed boyfriends again.


    This time she’d gone for apletely different type–a younger guy with a wild, sporty vibe.


    It wasn’t even summer yet, but he was already showing off in a sleeveless tank top, flexing his physique at every opportunity.


    His chest muscles were enough to make any woman feel self–conscious.