My goodness, this daughter of mine has really made an effort tonight! I love those pants! I wonder where she got them from? Hmm… if I had to guess, she must be trying to impress someone tonight. Maybe the beautiful blonde next to me earlier? The one she had dinner with in Per Se? Umm… several glances already from those darling dark-blue eyes towards said blonde. Aww, is that concern in my baby’s eyes? Why, yes! It IS concern. So sweet! Now that’s a first. I’m almost jealous….”

Jia watched the mother-daughter scene with jumbled emotions. She was still nervous from meeting Cindy earlier, who’d bussed her on the cheek, upon being introduced, the same way she’d greeted everyone else. Jia had politely answered Cindy’s questions, and had tried not to be obvious about sizing Cindy up as they’d talked.

During their dinner in Per Se, Tiler had mentioned something about her mom embarking on a modeling career in her late teens, and how Cindy had eventually moved to New York on her own, after being offered a huge modeling contract, jetting all the way from Sydney. Tiler hadn’t been able to hide the pride she’d had in her mom when she’d told Jia the story, expressing admiration she’d continued to feel about the older woman’s courage while striking out on her own at such a young age.

So when they’d each talked about their families late one night, Jia had let on that she’d been feeling nervous about meeting Cindy. Later during the same conversation, she’d asked Tiler about whether she’d pass Cindy’s exacting standards. While Tiler had quickly assured Jia that that would never be a problem, it had become obvious to Jia that Tiler remained bonded to her mom. So if Jia wanted to be in Tiler’s life, it was probably important that Cindy had to at least like Jia, right?

They’d talked about arranging for a meeting to happen in a casual setting, so as not to freight the moment with more meaning than either Jia or Tiler could handle. “Mom’s met a few girlfriends before, and, well, she accurately predicted they wouldn’t last.”

Jia caught the anxious glances Tiler directed her way now. Well, the moment came without either of us being ready, Tiler. Now what? First things first — Jia had expected Cindy would be tall and beautiful, but she hadn’t been prepared for the vibrancy and barely-contained joie de vivre Cindy exuded.