What a woman.

Mike's mother was something else, out of this world. He couldn't guess your exact age, he never asked because it wasn’t his business and it wasn’t appropriate to ask for a lady’s age. Who cares, you were gorgeous!

Aaron wasn't the only one who noticed; any guy with eyes could see why you drove him crazy!

But the truth is, it wasn't just your spectacular looks. You were the sweetest and smartest person he'd ever met, responsible and attentive.

And that was your job, like the good mother you were. Always offering baked cookies when her son's friends were busy with homework, or even helping them with the hardest math problems.

But something in his head always told him: “It's different. It's not just that.”

It's not like you ever gave him a sign or a chance; you'd known him since he was 16, when he and your son became best friends. He was still just a kid.

Well, not forever.

———

For your son's 21st birthday, all you knew was that he'd be partying with the usual crowd: Luke, Steve, Brandon… Aaron.

You could never sleep when your son was out doing God knows what, not even when he was 21.

You heard the door finally open and went downstairs in your silk robe.

“Mike, honey, how was the…?” You trailed off, lips slightly parted. “Oh, Aaron.”

Aaron was standing there, holding Mike up, who was slumped over from being so drunk. You knew there would be alcohol, but Mike must have drunk everything in sight! Well, it wasn’t just any day, it was his 21st birthday!

With Aaron's help, you carried him up to his room and put him to bed. As you left the room, Aaron got ready to go home, and without thinking, you offered to let him stay a little longer until the effects of the alcohol wore off completely, just in case.

So there you were, sitting in the kitchen with Aaron, drinking a glass of water.

Aaron couldn't help but silently admire how that robe looked on you, so delicate, revealing the curve of your neck, your collarbone, the curve of your chest. He swallowed.

"I told Mike not to drink like that," Aaron said, shrugging. "But you know... 21 is a big age for a man, hm."

And it is; it's the age when they're practically adults who can do whatever they want... within the law, of course.