The table is quiet.
Cat speaks first. She sets her wine glass down and folds her hands on the table. “I was trying to protect your career, Logan. Everything your father and I did was because we believed hockey was your future.”
“It is my future. Jasmine is also my future. They're not mutually exclusive.”
“I understand that now.” She pauses and turns to me. “Jasmine, I owe you an apology. What I said to you when you were eighteen was wrong. I was thinking about Logan's career, and I didn't consider what my words would do to you. I should have.”
My chest constricts. I never ever expected this from her. “Thank you, Cat, I appreciate that.”
Mom looks at me, and I give her the smallest nod. “I don't need you to like me, but I need you to see my daughter for who she is. This woman is extraordinary, and your son is lucky to have her.”
“I agree,” George says.
Every head at the table turns to George. He's been silent through the entire conversation. “Jasmine is accomplished and intelligent. She's clearly good for Logan. I don't need a five-year plan to see that.” He looks at Logan. “I should have said that sooner.”
Logan's hand tightens around mine under the table.
“Well,” Nolan says into the silence. “Can we order now?”
We all laugh, and the tension eases. The waitress comes back, and the conversation shifts to the menu and whether the chicken parmigiana is as good as the reviews say.
Cat asks Mom about the boutique. Mom tells her about the spring line she's curating and a new vendor she found for silk scarves. Cat says she'd love to visit sometime. Mom says the door is open.
It’s nice to see them talking, even though a lot of it is weighing each other.
Still, they are seeing each other as people, not enemies.
Logan gets Dom and Sarah to talk wedding plans, which clearly Sarah loves. One day, that will be us.
My mother gushes over the photos of venues that Sarah shows her.
“We've narrowed it down to two,” Sarah says, tilting the screen so Mom can see. “This one is a vineyard with an outdoor ceremony space. And this one is a restored barn with floor-to-ceiling windows.”
Mom takes the phone from her hand and zooms in. “The barn. No question.”
“Really? Why?”
“Look at the natural light coming through those windows. Your photos will be stunning. The vineyard is pretty, but you'd be fighting the sun all afternoon.”
“That's exactly what I said,” Sarah says, turning to Dom. “I told you the barn was better.”
“I liked the vineyard,” Dom says with a pout.
“The barn has better light, sweetheart,” Mom says, patting Dom's arm. “Trust us.”
“You've known Lorraine for twenty minutes, and you're already ganging up on me,” Dom says, looking at Sarah.
“Smart women recognize smart women,” Mom says.
Sarah grins and swipes to another photo. “Okay, so for flowers I was thinking peonies and ranunculus, something loose and romantic, nothing too structured.”
“Yes,” Mom says, leaning in. “And mix in some greenery. Eucalyptus. It softens everything.”
They spend the next ten minutes talking about centerpieces and table runners and whether a sit-down dinner or a buffet is better for a small wedding. Dom watches them with his mouth slightly open.
By the end of the conversation, Mom has an invitation to Dom and Sarah’s wedding.
At the other end of the table, George turns to Logan. “Good game last night. You played well.”
