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Kiera readjusted the place setting. On the phone, her father sounded exited when he said how much he was looking forward to the evening. Since her return from Paris, she hadn’t spent a lot of time with her parents. They never made demands on her, and she hadn’t stopped to consider whether or not they’d like to see
her more. Judging by her dad’s voice, they missed her but didn’t want to impose on her time. From now on, she’d make more of an effort. She did love to experiment with new dishes and her dad loved trying new meals. Her mom stuck with the more tried and true meals, but she could be convinced to try something new from time to time.
She refolded the napkin near another plate. Gray had teased her a bit when he’d spotted the intricately folded napkins, but she’d ignored him and continued folding the other scarlet colored napkins. Not long after that, he’d disappeared upstairs with his phone glued to his ear. He hadn’t returned yet.
When he’d answered the phone, he’d told her it was work. Since he remained upstairs on the phone, she guessed something important had once again popped up. Whatever the problem, she hoped he could solve it without returning to the office. She had her heart set on him sticking around for several days.
The intercom buzzed, and Kiera let her parents in the building. After taking a final look over the table she’d set to rival those at Mon Soleil, she headed upstairs to let Gray know it was time to eat.
“All that information was obtained and submitted.” Gray sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her.
Rather than call out, she walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
Gray looked over at her and held up one finger. “I understand that, Randall, but that doesn’t work.”
Deep frown lines formed on Gray’s face.
“Let’s discuss this again tomorrow. I’ll call you.” Gray ended his conversation and looked at her again. “Sorry that took so long.”
“I buzzed my parents in. They should be up here any minute.” As she said it, a knock sounded and her stomach knotted up. All afternoon, she’d kept herself busy, which kept her worry regarding her mom’s behavior tonight far from her thoughts. With her parents on the other side of her apartment door, however, those worries charged forward.
“Everything will be fine.” Gray took her hands and squeezed them. “Trust me.” He kissed her and led her down the stairs where they greeted her parents together.
Her dad walked inside and gave her a hug. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day. You and your mom couldn’t have given me better birthday present.”
If her dad thought the dinner was great, wait until he saw his actual gift.
Her dad then turned his attention to Gray. “Annette said you might be here tonight, Gray. It’s good to see you again.” They shook hands. “Have you been in town long?”
While Gray and her dad made casual conversation, her mom followed her into the kitchen.
“Everything looks and smells wonderful. Thank you for doing all this.”
She’d expected a comment about Gray’s presence from her mom, not a compliment. “Any time. You know I’d do anything for you and Dad.”
Her mom nodded and lowered her voice. “And I hope you know how much I love you. I wish you’d reconsider what I said earlier. Kiera, I’m worried you’re going to get hurt.”
She didn’t want an argument, especially with Gray present. “Don’t worry, Mom.” She pasted on a smile. “If everyone wants to sit, I’ll serve.”
Gray pulled out a chair at the table. “Please have a seat, Annette. I’ll help Kiera with everything.”
First, her mom glanced at her and then toward her husband, who, in return, only gave her a pointed look.
Once Gray helped her mom, he joined her at the counter. “Tell me what to do.”
She’d rather take care of everything herself. She’d get everything served quicker that way. “Can you pour the wine? I already opened it.”
A steady conversation ran throughout dinner, covering everything from his brother’s wedding in January to current events. Eventually, it appeared as if Kiera’s mom was enjoying herself. The frown she wore when she’d first walked in had disappeared.
“This meal is exception, Kiera. I expected your cooking to surpass my own, I just didn’t expect it so soon,” Mathieu said with pride. Then Kiera’s dad looked at him. “Don’t tell your father I said that. I might find myself out of a job.”
Annette’s frown returned. “That’s not funny, Mathieu. Especially—” Kiera’s mom picked up her wine glass. “It’s just not funny.”
“Everyone here knows I was joking, Annette.” Mathieu looked at Kiera and then at him.
So far that night, Mathieu hadn’t exhibited anything that spoke of his disapproval. Still, Gray wanted Kiera’s parents to know they had nothing to worry about.
“Mathieu, my father would never allow himself to go without your cooking.”
