Page 63 of A Simple Regret

“Because we dated?”

“Because I never really go anywhere with someone who isn’t my family.”

Her eyebrows draw together in confusion. “You haven’t dated?”

I shrug. “A little, but nothing…serious.”

I think back to the last woman I dated. Laura Fischer is a nice woman but definitely caught more feelings than I did. We actually dated twice, and each time, she seemed ready to take a walk down the aisle a bit too quickly for my liking. Like, within weeks. When I found out she was registering for bridal magazines online and having things sent to my house, I had to take a step back.

She doesn’t reply right away, but when she nods, I give her hand a gentle squeeze and we walk into the diner. The sights, sounds, and faces are familiar, and immediately all eyes are on the newcomers.

“Hey, everyone,” I state, earning waves, greetings, and head nods from those who reside in my hometown.

Before I can suggest we head to one of the available booths, the door opens behind us and a couple of familiar faces walk in.

“Holy crap, Maren?”

We turn to see my brother, Cade, and his fiancée, Oaklee, standing there. “Cade, it’s so good to see you,” Maren replies with a bit of awkwardness in her voice.

“Get over here, girl,” Cade says, pulling Maren into a friendly hug. “This is Oaklee, the only woman in the world who puts up with my shenanigans.”

“It’s a full-time job,” Oaklee replies, extending her hand to Maren. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” she says, shaking her hand. “This is Theo, my son.”

“I Theo!” the three-year-old in my arms proclaims, making my brother and future sister-in-law smile.

“Hey, guys. Have a seat wherever, and I’ll bring you menus,” Emma, one of the young servers, says.

“You want to join us?” Cade asks, his eyes on me.

I open my mouth to decline but realize it’s not really my decision. Glancing to my left to ask Maren for her thoughts, the decision is made when Theo bellows a loud, “Yep!”

The four adults chuckle, and we all head toward the rounded corner booth. Maren grabs a plastic booster seat from the stack and sets it on the bench while I help Theo remove his hat and coat. Theo opts to sit between his mom and me, with Cade and Oaklee on the opposite side of the table, and moments later, Emma is delivering four menus and a colorable paper children’s menu for Theo.

“Oh my word, this place hasn’t changed a bit,” Maren says, opening the four-pack of crayons for Theo. “Remember, the color stays on the paper only.”

“Okay,” he agrees before going to town on his menu, coloring the building green.

“He’s adorable. How old is he?” Oaklee asks.

“He just turned three on Christmas,” Maren answers politely, flipping her menu over to check the dinner specials.

“Wow, really? That’s cool. A Christmas baby. He looks like your dad,” Cade states with a chuckle.

“It’s those Scandinavian genes. They’re strong,” Maren replies with a grin.

“Whatcha gonna have, little dude? They have chicken fingers, grilled cheese, hamburg⁠—”

“Cheese!” he proclaims, and again, everyone laughs.

“Grilled cheese it is. Fries?”

He nods, retrieving the blue crayon and scribbling.

We make small talk while we browse the menu and Emma stops by to take our drink orders. When she delivers drinks, we order our meals.

“He will have the grilled cheese kid’s meal and fries, and I would like the chicken wrap and fries, please,” Maren orders.