“Trying to step up for my family. Be there for them again . . . as much as I can.”
“I bet you were a great mom.”
It was the last thing she’d expected him to say, and she blinked, holding back tears. “He was amazing. Really smart. And talented. And sweet.” She struggled to keep control. “It’s been . . . hard . . . trying to . . . move on . . . without him.”
Chris didn’t immediately reply. A minute passed before he reached for her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her palm, sending sharp darts of sensation up through her arm.
“You’re doing good, darlin’,” he said. “Just keep doing what you’re doing. One foot in front of the other, and you’ll get there.”
Lauren’s family was seated at a table in the corner of the restaurant by the window overlooking the river. The interior was dim. Candles flickered on tables, reflecting off the glass.
Lisa spotted Lauren before they’d even woven their way through the crowded floor to the table, and she jumped up, grinning.
“You’re here!” she exclaimed, moving toward Lauren and giving her a hug. “Holy shit,” she whispered in Lauren’s ear, clearly approving of Chris, before turning toward him and introducing herself. “I’m Lisa,” she said, smiling up at him, offering her hand. “Lauren’s big sister.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Chris answered, taking her hand but then leaning down to kiss her cheek. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Lisa gestured to her husband. “Matthieu, my husband.”
“I’m Chris,” he replied, shaking Matthieu’s hand.
“Rick Summer,” Lauren’s dad said gruffly. “My wife, Candace.”
“Candy,” Lauren’s mom corrected.
“Chris,” Chris repeated, shaking more hands.
The baby let out a wail from her car seat in the corner.
“And that’s Audrey,” Lisa added, before gesturing to the table. “Now come sit. We’re so happy you’re here!”
* * *
For the next hour, over coffee and dessert, Lisa and Dad peppered Chris with questions.
“So what do you do, Chris?” her father asked, almost immediately.
“I’m finishing school,” Chris said easily. “Earning my master’s in mechanical engineering.”
“Where?” her dad asked, eyes narrowed.
“At Cal,” Chris answered, giving the nickname for Berkeley, the first university founded in the University of California system. “My undergraduate degree was from UT Austin.”
“Mechanical engineering there, too?”
Chris nodded.
“You’re Texan?” Dad persisted, drumming his fingers on the table, expression brooding.
Chris wasn’t fazed. “No. Was raised outside Phoenix. My dad’s parents are from Texas, though.”
Dad looked from Lauren to Chris and back again. “So how long have you two been dating?”
Chris glanced at Lauren, took her hand. “Not long,” he said, smiling into her eyes. “But I’ve been chasing her awhile.”
Lauren’s face burned, cheeks hot, and shyly she glanced down at their hands. She liked the way her hand felt in his. Liked the way his fingers curved around hers. She felt surprisingly good. Warm. Safe.
“What do you mean, chasing her?” Dad demanded. “She wouldn’t go out with you?”
Chris grinned lazily. “Nope. Didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”
“You should have left her alone, then,” Dad muttered.
“Dad!” Lisa and Lauren exclaimed at the same time.
Matthieu glanced away, trying not to laugh. Mom appeared mortified.
But Dad shrugged, unfazed. “What? I’m not allowed to ask?”
Lauren’s face still felt too hot. “You’re being a little aggressive with the questions, Dad. Don’t you think?”
Her dad ignored her. “Chris, do you mind?” he asked.
Chris grinned, shook his head. “Nope.”
“See?” Her dad sat back, victorious.
Mom changed the subject then by asking Lauren about business at Mama’s Café, which led to a discussion about business at Summer Bakery & Café, which led to further discussion about the future of the Napa restaurant.
It was Lisa who put a stop to all the speculation about the Napa café’s future. “This doesn’t have to be decided now,” she said. “And it’s no one’s business but Lauren’s and mine, and oh, maybe that’s because it’s our business.”
“But your sister isn’t even here, helping you out anymore,” Dad retorted, clearly in one of his more confrontational moods.