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“Of course not. They didn’t tell you they were coming?”
“No, I had no idea, and I’m kind of pissed off at them, actually. They were rude when they stopped by, so I’m going to have a very frank conversation with them.”
“Do you want me to meet you? For moral support?”
God, I love him.
“I don’t want to subject you to that. You do your thing, kiss Lily for me, and I’ll let you know when we’re done.”
“Sounds good. I’ll leave here before dark and head home. If you need a ride, just call me.”
“I won’t be drinking, but thanks. Oh, and we’re going to Ciao, and that doesn’t make me happy because you and I haven’t had a chance to go there yet.”
“It’s just a restaurant, Blondie. It’s fine. We’ll go another time.”
“Okay. Well, I’m here, so I’ll let you go. See you later.”
I hang up, pop my phone into my bag, and walk into the restaurant.
“How can I help you?” the hostess asks.
“I’m meeting three others here. The reservation was probably under Evan.”
“Oh, yes, they’re here. I’ll show you.” She smiles and gestures for me to follow her through the restaurant. It’s cozy in here, with white tablecloths that have parchment paper over them, and it looks like people are drawing on them with crayons.
Then, I notice the artwork on the walls. Some are obviously by kids, but others are beautiful works of art done by adults.
That’s kind of fun.
“Here you go,” she says, after leading me out to the patio seating, and I nod my thanks and then take my seat next to Evan.
“You’re finally here,” he says and leans over to kiss my cheek, as if he’s my boyfriend.
My parents smile at us, and I can just hear their internal dialogue.
“At last, she’s met a nice boy who has political aspirations.”
There’s already garlic bread on the table and a glass of red wine waiting for me. I’m not a lover of red wine, but I take a nice, long sip, making my dad frown. Then I reach for the bread.
“That’s a lot of carbs,” my mom reminds me.
“Thank God.” I eat half the piece in one bite, and my mom firms her jaw. She sent me to etiquette school when I was thirteen and is likely champing at the bit to tell me to behave myself. “So, please, tell me again why you’re here.”
“It’s a surprise,” Evan says and nudges me with his shoulder. “I thought it would be fun, and when your dad told me that they haven’t been to Bitterroot Valley in so many years, I thought they’d like to see the life their daughter has made for herself here.”
“And upon seeing it,” Mom says, “I’m glad we came so we can talk you into moving back to Helena, where you belong.”
I frown over at her. My father sighs, but he doesn’t disagree with her.
And Evan just continues to smile, as if he’s won the lottery.
“I love living here,” I inform her. “I have a business.”
“That you’ll sell, of course,” she says. “Certainly, once you and Evan are married, you won’t continue to make flower bouquets.”
“Wait.” I hold up a hand and whip my gaze over to Evan, who’s now squirming in his seat, but he flashes me that charming smile. “Marry you?”
“Not right away,” he says, clearly grasping for words.
