“Honey, there’s a woman on the internet following you around with a microphone and a camera. Of course, we know who he is.”
Eleanor closed her eyes briefly.
Of course.
“Although,” Liz continued, studying Reid more closely, “I will say you’re much more handsome in person than you are on that podcast.”
“Mom.”
Reid looked like he was trying not to smile.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Liz drifted farther into the house, glancing toward the kitchen, where the jazz still floated softly through the air, wineglasses on the counter beside an open bottle.
“Well,” she said lightly. “This is all very cozy.”
Eleanor wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
Lawrence followed at a slower pace, hands in his pockets, taking everything in with quiet amusement.
Reid, for perhaps the first time in his life, looked slightly uncertain.
Liz noticed immediately.
“Oh, goodness,” she said. “You look like you’re about to be cross-examined.”
“I’m not usually on this side of the table, ma’am.”
“Don’t worry,” Lawrence said mildly. “My wife was a trial attorney for fifteen years. If she decides to question you, there’s really nothing any of us can do about it.”
“Oh, please,” Liz said, waving him off as she picked up the wine bottle from the counter. “Anyone brave enough to walk into my daughter’s kitchen deserves a drink.”
Before Eleanor could stop her, Liz poured wine into the remaining glasses and handed one to Reid.
“There we are.”
“Thank you.”
Lawrence settled easily at the kitchen table.
Eleanor remained standing by the counter, arms folded, looking exactly like a woman realizing her evening had completely escaped her control.
Liz took a sip of wine and looked at Reid over the rim of the glass.
“So,” she said pleasantly, “are you the reason my daughter hasn’t been returning my calls?”
“Mom,” Eleanor said, horrified.
Reid didn’t even blink.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said calmly. “I believe I might be.”
Liz studied him another second.
Then she smiled.
“Well,” she said, lifting her glass slightly, “at least she has a good excuse.”
