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Meet him in Cambodia.
She’d never been outside of California. She’d been contemplating a trip to New York to visit Lia later that year. Could she take a leap that big?
“No pressure, Jess. Just something to think about,” he said, kissing her palms.
A shiver of adrenaline coursed through her as his gaze lifted to meet hers.
Somethingelseto think about.
Chapter Eleven
December 12th…13 Days Until Christmas…
Why had they even invited him to lunch?
Sitting across from Lia and Malcolm at Surfboards Restaurant on the pier, it was a struggle to keep his salmon and roast vegetables down as they PDA’d all over the opposite side of the booth. It was bad enough watching his sister kiss the face off of her husband, but unfortunately, it only reminded him of the kissing he wasn’t doing.
He checked his watch as he signaled the waiter for the bill. Only a few more hours until he was meeting Jessica at the bakery to help her decorate her window for some community holiday thing that evening.
The night before he’d allowed his hopes to rise about the idea of her traveling with him, but in the light of day, he realized how crazy it was to expect her to give up her life there for a missionary lifestyle that she’d never even thought of before.
But it had been nice to think about…
He scanned the restaurant decorated with surfing Santas on every available square inch. Fat Santas, buff Santas, young Santas, and old. Unique decor choice, for sure. The Beach Boys Christmas album played on the speakers, and he drained the last sip of his beer in the glass shaped like a Santa boot. Maybe he should just leave the cash on the table and split.
He wouldn’t be missed.
He cleared his throat loudly and his sister reluctantly pulled her gaze away from Malcolm’s face. “You two ready to go?” he asked.
Lia glanced at Malcolm. “Another round?”
He nodded, a grin on his lipstick-stained lips.
“Okay, well, you two enjoy. I’m going to head out,” he said, reaching for his wallet.
Lia stopped him with a candy-cane themed manicured hand. “Actually before you go, there’s something we should talk about.” There was a note of seriousness in her voice that had him on edge.
Uh-oh.Had someone in town who’d seen him and Jess together ratted them out to Lia? Was she about to tell him to keep his hands off of her friend? Because he wasn’t sure he’d be able to comply with that request. His heart pounded faster. “Oh? What’s up?”
“I’m going to go to the restroom,” Malcolm said, making a somewhat hasty exit. The man shot Mitch a look that said “good luck” before he kissed Lia’s cheek and walked away toward the restrooms. His sister turned her attention back to him.
“What do you think about Dad retiring?”
Oh. That. He wasn’t sure his father had told her yet, and it hadn’t been his place to say anything. He shrugged. He didn’t know what he thought of it, but his opinion wasn’t really a factor in his father’s decision. “I don’t think it’s what he truly wants to do, but he insists it is, so there’s really nothing else we can do but support it.”
She leaned her elbows on the table and lowered her voice. “You know it’s Mom, right? Pushing this decision on him.”
“They’re making the decision together.” His parents had always had a great marriage with clear lines of communication and boundaries. If his father was really resistant to the idea, he’d fight harder against it. Mitch had been shocked and a little uneasy when his father had initially told him, but that was because there had been a brief expectation that Mitch would take over. But that was settled…
“Dad’s being bullied,” Lia said.
Of course she’d take any side that wasn’t their mother’s. How much of her concern was really about their father’s well-being and not just another thing she could disagree with their mother on? Mitch sighed. “Well, have you talked to him about it? Told him your concerns?”
“Yes, but he says the decision is made. He’s even started transferring his clients.”
Mitch nodded. He knew all of that already.
“And now, Mrs. P will be out of work.”
