I laughed. Luka did not.
The restaurant was busy, but finding my parents took no effort at all. Mom spotted us immediately and stood so fast she nearly knocked her chair over.
Despite my warning him, Luka still looked caught off guard when Mom wrapped him in a hug. When she stepped back, he opened his mouth, closed it again, and glanced at me for assistance.
Mom got in first.
“You’re real.”
“Mom,” I said with a groan.
She waved me off. “What? Until last week he was basically a myth.”
Dad chuckled. “She’s not wrong. Every time she asked about you, Dean acted like he’d been subpoenaed.”
“I did not.”
“You most certainly did.”
Mom nodded. “Then you kissed him in front of half the planet and saved me weeks of guessing.”
“Sit down before she starts presenting evidence,” Dad said.
Luka frowned. “Evidence?”
“Baby photographs.”
Mom appeared offended. “I wasn’t going to show baby photographs.”
“You brought your tablet.”
Luka seemed far too interested.
“Traitor,” I muttered.
His lips twitched. “I am merely gathering information.”
We sat, and a server appeared with two more menus.
“How did it go tonight?” Dad asked.
I beamed. “Harper is in the lead, and Ava is fourth.”
Mom’s eyes widened. “You think they might both medal?”
“Fingers crossed for Thursday night.” Harper would be on that podium, I had no doubt. And if Ava didn’t make it this time, Nice was right around the corner.
Luka glanced up from the menu. “Do you have recommendations?”
Mom’s face lit up with such alarming speed that Dad lowered his menu. “Oh no.”
He blinked. “What?”
“You’ve asked a question.”
“That is generally how recommendations work.”
“You don’t understand,” Dad said. “You’ve activated her.” He disappeared behind his own menu.
