He was studying her just as intently as she studied him. “Should I drive, or do you prefer to?”
“I’ve been up since four. So if you like driving . . . ?”
“I do. I’ll drive. You can chill.” He grabbed his phone from the front pocket of his jeans. “Give me your number and address, and I’ll text you when I’m on the way.”
* * *
Lauren couldn’t believe she’d invited Chris home with her. Couldn’t believe they were driving home now, and making great time. They were just twenty minutes from Napa and they’d probably miss dinner itself, but it looked as though they’d make it for dessert.
Lauren had texted Lisa the news at six, letting her know they were running late and not to count on them for dinner, but to save two seats for dessert.
Lisa had immediately texted back. What? Who is coming with you!?! Tell me it’s not the married man!!
It’s not, Lauren answered. Someone new.
Who??
It’s just a first date, Lauren texted back. Nothing serious.
Lisa couldn’t believe it. You’re bringing a first date home on Father’s Day???
Thought it’d be a good litmus test . . . don’t you think?
Ok. Feeling sorry for the poor bastard.
Lauren was in the car when she got the message and giggled. Chris glanced at her, eyebrow lifting. “What?”
“My sister.” Still smiling, Lauren slid her phone back into her purse. “She’s worried about you.”
“Why is that?”
“I’ve never brought anyone home before.”
Chris’s brow creased but he didn’t look too concerned. “Never, as in . . . lately, or . . . ?”
“Never as in never. I don’t date.”
“I see.”
Lauren looked at him, adding with great relish, “My parents think I’m gay.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Are you?”
“No.” She glanced down at her fingers, noting she’d torn a nail. She kept them short, but she’d still managed to rip one doing something or other at the café. “My dad doesn’t like the A’s either.” She looked back up at Chris, feeling horribly evil, and unusually mischievous. “Maybe we don’t say anything about your career?”
“Will do,” he replied. And to his credit, he still sounded completely unruffled. “Anything else I should know?”
* * *
The lights of Napa gleamed in the distance. They weren’t far now. Would be parking and entering Angèle, one of Lauren’s favorite Napa restaurants, in minutes. Lauren rubbed her hands on her legs, suddenly nervous.
What was she doing bringing Chris home with her, unannounced like this, without them even going out to dinner first?
What was she thinking?
Was she trying to humiliate him? Herself? Make a point? And if so . . . to whom?
“Chris,” she whispered, stomach starting to churn, panic building. “You asked if there was anything else you should know.”
“Yes?” He glanced at her as the GPS changed screens, showing him that he’d be turning soon. They were almost there.
Her belly flipped, and flipped again. “There’s actually a lot.”
“Okay.”
“I probably should have told you before . . .”
“Is your husband going to be there?”
She laughed, just as he’d intended. “Not married. Never have been.”
“Okay.”
Lauren shifted in her seat, her gaze fixed on Chris. “Never married,” she repeated, “but I had a son.”
She waited for some reaction. Chris remained silent, but she could tell he was listening.
Lauren pressed on. “Got pregnant in high school. Kept him. Raised him with my family’s help.” Her fingers curled into her palms. “He would have been a senior this year. Would have graduated last—” She was unable to finish the sentence.
Would have graduated last week.
Would have been something seeing him in his cap and gown.
The school remembered him anyway. Someone in the community had funded a scholarship in his name.
“Would have,” Chris said quietly.
She nodded. “He died last June.”
“How?”
“Car accident.” She swallowed hard. “Two other kids died with him. And the fourth was left paralyzed.”
It wasn’t dark yet, just the pale gold and lavender of twilight, and she could see Chris’s face, his features set, mouth firm.
Her heart ached. Everything in her felt tender and bruised. “I moved to Alameda last September, needing to get away from Napa. But Napa is still home. It’ll always be home. But it’s hard coming back, so I don’t do it often.”
“Yet you’re coming back tonight,” Chris said.