Their food came, and he dove in with gusto, thankful for the time to process and corral his emotions.
They both cleared their plates and shared a laugh.
“I won’t need to eat until breakfast,” Maren said.
“We’ll see about that,” Colt told her. “Room service might have something appetizing in several hours.”
“Too true.” She slid out of the booth.
As he moved to slide from the seat, his phone rang. Seeing his mother’s number had him pausing. “My mom again.”
Maren resumed her seat. “Take it.”
“I know why she’s calling.” He sighed and pressed the answer button. “Mom.”
“Just reminding you—”
“I know what day it is,” he said. “My job has been very consuming. I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
Across the table from him, Maren’s eyebrows dipped with curiosity. Then she looked away to stare out the window.
On the other end of the line, his mother huffed out a breath filled with exasperation. “You need work-life balance.”
“Mom, there is no such thing.” At least not for him, there wasn’t. He had no life outside of his job.
Well, except for his family, but he already gave them Sunday afternoons.
“Now, what kind of attitude is that? You’ll never have your own family if you continue to think that way,” his mother chided.
He hated disappointing her, but he doubted having a family of his own would ever happen. His parents were going to have to be content with his siblings and their families.
“You can take an hour break from your job to wish your nieces happy birthday,” his mom continued. “I reminded you about their party.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “What time again?”
“Six p.m. for dinner and cake immediately after, but you should come earlier to visit.” There was a smile in her voice that had Colt shaking his head.
So much for the hour she mentioned.
He glanced at Maren, who now had her elbow on the table and her chin resting on her fist. She looked so dejected. His heart ached for her. “Do you mind if I bring a colleague?”
Her gaze snapped to him.
“If it gets you here, you can bring the whole DEA office for all I care,” his mother said tartly.
He chuckled, knowing she meant it. “There will just be one other person.”
“Don’t forget to stop and get presents for your nieces,” his mother instructed before hanging up.
Colt groaned. Another thing he’d forgotten. Presents. He loved his twin nieces. They were such rays of sunshine. He’d been so focused on bringing down Shadow and finding Opal and now with the task force and Maren… He was feeling stretched in all directions.
He tucked his phone away into a pocket.
Tension gripped him. He’d committed him and Maren to going to his nieces’ birthday party. Would Maren be agreeable?
“I know this is a big ask, but would you be willing to accompany me to my twin nieces’ birthday party for just a couple of hours? Long enough to have a slice of cake and say happy birthday.”
Her blue eyes widened, and her mouth formed an O. “When?”
