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“What am I going to do while you guys are having dinner if I’m stuck there?” I ask.
Ethel pats my arm. “We can have some girl time. I was thinking about getting a tattoo and Dori’s granddaughter married Liam Kelly, who owns Smokin’ Guns Tattoo Shop.”
Okay well, I can’t let that happen. “Or maybe we just walk around the square,” I suggest.
“I’d like that. I can tell you stories about your grandmother. She was one of my best friends, you know.”
“I know.” I smile at her, remembering how Ethel took me under her wing as a pseudo granddaughter after mine died. This is the least I can do. “Okay, let’s go.”
“You realize they’re gonna lock us in a closet somewhere or something?” Xavier asks me on the way outside.
I tilt my head side to side. “We’ll be in public. They lose all their control once they’re out of these walls.”
Xavier shakes his head. “You underestimate their level of scheming.”
When we reach his truck, I go to the back, but Ethel insists I sit in front. The restaurant is only fifteen minutes away.
Lake Starlight is so pretty no matter what time of year it is. The sidewalk is lined with trees lit with string lights, and there’re all kinds of small custom shops I’m sure the tourists love.
Xavier slams on the brakes when we start past the town square, and I jolt forward.
“You have two old ladies back here!” Ethel scolds.
He rolls down his window. “Rylan, whatcha doing?”
I lean forward to see past him and find the youngest Greene, Rylan, with Dori’s first great-grandchild, Calista Bailey. They’re sitting hand in hand in the gazebo in the middle of the square and Rylan just waves with this free hand in response to his brother.
“Aren’t they so cute?” Dori says. “We didn’t have to work our magic with those two at all. It’s like it’s destiny.”
“We better go chaperone.” Ethel opens her door. “We’ll meet you at the restaurant. Terra and Mare. Right there with the burgundy awning.” She points just ahead and on the right before she and Dori exit the truck.
“I always thought they didn’t like each other,” I say as he drives off.
Xavier rolls his eyes. “So did I. Still think the grandmas’ intentions are pure?” He parks in a spot right outside Terra and Mare.
“They’ll be back soon, but I can’t believe little Ryguy has a girlfriend.” I admire them for a moment before Xavier clears his throat and I turn to see that he’s holding open the restaurant door for me.
I walk through and a man is standing there waiting for us. He’s wearing a chef’s jacket, but I’ve seen Rome Bailey, the owner of the restaurant, and this isn’t him.
“I’m Chef Colin. I’ll be serving you tonight.” He holds out his hand and we each shake it in turn and introduce ourselves.
A minute later, we hear a key in a lock. Xavier turns to the door, walks over, and tries to open it, but it’s been locked from the outside.
“Back door?” Xavier asks Chef Colin without sounding as though he has much hope.
“Sorry, locked. I could let you out of course, but then I’d have to deal with Dori and Ethel, and to be honest with you, they kind of scare me.” He cringes. “So, it’s just the three of us tonight. Please have a seat and I’ll bring out a bottle of wine for you to enjoy.” He disappears into the kitchen.
We both look at the candlelit table for two.
“Goddamn. Why can’t they mind their business?” Xavier pushes his hands through his dark-blond hair.
I step over to the table. “Because they’re Dori and Ethel.”
“Just wait.” He comes up alongside me and pulls out my chair. “This is you making the most of it?”
I shrug. “Yep. We’re not getting out of here until dinner is over. We don’t have to discuss anything we don’t want to. We can just sit and enjoy dinner in silence for all I care. I’ll snap a picture of you and Dori afterward.”
Lie. Being in Xavier’s presence again these past few days has me missing his company more than I have in a long time.
