“Yes,” Andrew growled before Gabriel could respond. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, like a bouncer. “And he’s promised to use it if there’s even a hint of a threat against you.”
“You’re not shooting my mother.” I glared at Gabriel.
“No, tesoro, I will not. It is a precaution, nothing more.” Gabriel gave my hand a squeeze. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I said with more conviction than I felt. It was strange, knowing we were going out into the real world again. And I was anxious about seeing my mother. I worried that I might just start screaming at her.
Nathan was watching me with wary eyes. “Please be careful.”
“I’m going to a restaurant, not a war zone,” I said, but his severe expression didn’t change.
“We will let you know as soon as we are coming back,” Gabriel said. He gave Andrew a soft, lingering kiss that stirred up some of the banked coals of arousal I’d been doing my best to dampen all morning. I looked away and skirted past them to the front door. I needed to keep my descenter as strong as possible.
“Bye,” I called over my shoulder as we went out into the hallway.
We traced a convoluted route to the diner. Gabriel insisted on driving to a parking garage across the city, then taking the train three stops past and walking back the rest of the way.
“It is good to be unpredictable. And while I know you think you are in no danger, I am taking no chances. Someone may be watching,” Gabriel said when I asked him why. At least it was a warm-ish day for February. The sun was almost out, too.
It was strange being back in that part of the city. I had obviously kept my distance, not wanting to run into anyone from my old life. It was a gorgeous neighborhood, and even more gentrified since I’d left. Long gone were the few straggling bodegas, now replaced by a vegan donut shop, a med spa, and a bridal boutique. The park was immaculate, too, and home to a brand-new playground clustered with rosy-cheeked children and their fashionable young nannies.
As we approached the diner, a sense of nostalgia hit so hard it felt like drowning. I gripped Gabriel’s hand for strength.
The awning was the same bright yellow, printed with blue stripes, and the same bell hung above the door. Inside, there was the familiar smell of grilled lamb and baking bread, pristine white tiled walls and navy blue booths. It was past the lunch rush, so Gabriel and I had our pick of tables. We chose one right inside the front door, and I made sure I was easily visible to anyone walking in.
“What can I get for you?” Our server was a young woman, probably Anvi’s age, and she looked livid to even have to take our order.
“A tea and a coffee,” Gabriel said when I didn’t immediately respond. “And perhaps a menu?”
She sighed and pointed to a decal on the table. “Scan the QR code,” she said and slouched away.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Ten minutes to three. My leg jumped under the table.
“Relax, carissima,” Gabriel said in an undertone, then placed his hand on my knee for just a moment. I forced myself to be still. “It will all be alright.”
I nodded, or tried to. My neck didn’t seem to work correctly, along with the rest of my body.
Our server returned with our drinks, and Gabriel placed an order for hummus and pita.
As the minutes ticked by, and my mother did not appear, another possibility occurred to me. “What if she doesn’t show up?” I asked.
“Then we go home,” Gabriel said with a shrug. “And I will make Andrew cook you a delicious meal. Or perhaps we will order gyros for everyone.”
I shook my head, ready to tell him off for deliberately misunderstanding me, when the door opened again.
It was my mother. She scanned the tables and found us immediately. I mastered my reflex to run away. Gabriel, seeing my reaction, turned slowly until he saw my mother, too, and gave her a small wave. Her lips compressed and her brows furrowed, but she approached.
“Who is this?” she asked.
“My friend,” I replied.
“You should have come alone,” she answered. Her hair was more silver than blonde, as if she’d aged fifteen years instead of six since I’d last seen her, and up close she looked frail. Her makeup couldn’t completely conceal the shadow of a purple bruise on her temple. Rage at her inability to fight back, to leave, to doanything, made me dizzy.
“Hello to you, too. Sit down.” I pulled out the chair next to mine, and she looked at Gabriel suspiciously before lowering herself into it. She was wearing camel-colored slacks and a white sweater that looked like cashmere under her fashionably slouchy barn jacket. She placed her brown leather bag on her lap. I gestured to my own temple, indicating her bruise. “Are you okay?”
She brushed her fingertips over the skin. “I’m fine.” She seemed annoyed that I’d brought it up, but then her expression softened as she looked at me. “It’s wonderful to see you.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I sidestepped the minefield altogether. “What couldn’t you say on the phone?”
