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“You did this?”
She shrugged. “With a little help from my friends.” She touched his sleeve. “I wanted to do something special for you both.”
He let out his breath and looked around the crowded room. She knew he wasn’t at his happiest in crowds, but hopefully, seeing as he knew everyone who was present, he’d soon relax and enjoy himself.
“It’s all good, Mom. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Jay.” She gave him a little push in the right direction. “Now go and say hello to Erin’s parents while I see how everything’s going in the kitchen.”
Bella rushed through the swing doors, her hand to her heart. She leaned against the wall and slowly exhaled. “I thought he was going to bolt.”
Billy and Sonali looked up from whatever they were doing and stared at her.
“Yeah, there was a moment when I wondered the same thing,” Billy said. “Probably not a good idea to spring too many surprises on a retired Navy SEAL.”
“Tell me about it.” Bella looked around the kitchen. “Now, what can I do to help?”
“Nothing. You’re the mother of the groom, and you’re the one throwing the party. Go out and be sociable.” Billy came over and pointed at the exit.
“I’d much rather be helping in here.”
“We’re good.” Billy held the door open. “Off you go and charm the pants off Erin’s parents.”
She raised an eyebrow and whispered, “The only pants I want to charm off are yours.”
“Good to know.” Billy’s blue eyes glinted with warm amusement. “But you still need to get out there.”
“Will you come and join me?” She stroked the collar of his shirt.
“When the buffet is all set up I’ll come and sit with you, okay?”
“I suppose it’s the best I can hope for.” She sighed. “Maybe I’ll go and talk to Chase. He still won’t look me in the eye.”
Billy grinned. “Not our fault that he’s a prude.”
“And then there’s BB, who keeps winking and grinning at me like he thinks the idea of his father having sex is a big joke.”
“BB does think that, but you can ignore him as well.” He hesitated. “You might want to talk to Maria. She and I are very close, and I’d love it if you two could be friends.”
“I’ll do my best.” She went on tiptoe and kissed him. “Don’t be too long.”
Bella made her way out to the dining room and was immediately engulfed in a crowd of friends and family. By the time she’d talked to everyone, Billy and Sonali had already put out trays of appetizers, and Nancy, Jay’s second in command, was doing brisk business at the bar.
Bella spotted Billy’s granddaughter curled up on one of the big couches in front of the roaring log fire and went over to join her. Maria wore jeans, a black T-shirt with some kind of cartoon character on it, and a black hoodie.
“Are you having a good time?” Bella asked as she sat beside her.
Maria made a face. “Not really. It’s all adults here, and Grandpa’s busy in the kitchen, so I have no one to really talk to.”
“You know, that’s my fault,” Bella confessed. “I didn’t think to include any other kids your age when I was making up the guest lists.”
“There aren’t any kids out here,” Maria pointed out. “That’s why I have to go on the bus to Bridgeport for high school.”
“That sucks.” Bella nodded. “You should taste the food though. Your grandpa is a really good cook.”
“I know. He’s made me taste every single thing about fifty times, so I’m good.” Maria grinned. “He really wanted to make things right for you.”
“That’s because he’s a really nice man.”
“And he really, really likes you,” Maria said. “You know that, right?”
Bella glanced at the teen. “You think so?”
“Dude, he like can’t stop talking about you, and his face goes all funny and goofy.” Maria shook her head. “It’s hilarious.”
“Really?” Now Bella sounded like a teenager herself. “I like him, too.”
