Julian walked over and leaned against the counter, his expression serious but warm. "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. I don't need you to be 'just a mom' twenty-four hours a day. I want you to be happy. Marcus is a good guy, and honestly? You’ve been wearing that 'business-only' mask for a long time."
"Then I’ll be happy I don't have to be your only source of dinner conversation," he joked, though his eyes remained soft. "Seriously. You spent twenty years putting me first. It’s okay to let someone else in now. I’ve got the shop covered tonight. Go to the gallery." mom mature son sex
At twenty-four, Julian had his father’s sharp jawline but Elena’s quiet, observant eyes. Their relationship had shifted since he graduated and moved back home to help her run the shop. It was no longer just mother and son; they were partners, confidants, and witnesses to each other's lives. Julian walked over and leaned against the counter,
"You're staring at the ledger again, Mom," Julian said without turning around. "The numbers won't change just because you're frowning at them." I want you to be happy
Elena sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I was actually thinking about the gallery opening tonight. Marcus asked if I’d go."