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She cleared her throat, unsure of what to do, and it seemed Danny didn’t know either. Shaking his hand seemed awkward. What she really wanted was to throw her arms around him and hug him, but she hesitated, uncertain how he’d react.
Danny solved that problem for her. “How about a hug? For old time’s sake.” He opened his arms just enough to invite her in, and Lauren walked into them without hesitation.
She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of being wrapped in his arms again. She felt solid, grounded, safe. It was like a piece of her life that had been off kilter was finally back in the right place. When she opened her eyes again, a blond woman was staring at them, completely stone-faced, and Lauren realized she was probably Danny’s wife. Lauren stepped back but knew their hug had been closer, and lasted longer, than it should have.
“It’s really good to see you,” Lauren said to him. “How have you been?”
“I’m good. You sounded great tonight.”
“Thank you, I can’t believe— “
The blond woman pushed forward. “I’m Heather. Danny’swife.”
Lauren didn’t flinch at Heather’s tartness; she’d dealt with jealous girlfriends her whole career. What did pique her curiosity, however, was how confounded Danny looked.
“It is very nice to meet you,” Lauren said, the sweetness of her voice a counterpoint to Heather’s vinegar. Heather muttered something Lauren couldn’t quite make out and offered a perfunctory handshake. After, she slid a possessive arm through Danny’s, claiming her territory, and tossed Lauren a look that was nothing short of hostile.
Jesus, if she was any more territorial, she’d pee on him, Lauren thought. She offered Heather one more smile and refocused on Danny.
“And these must be your boys,” Lauren said. She still couldn’t believe how much the oldest two resembled their father, and she still felt chagrined that they’d seen her argument with—no, her lambasting of—Roberta. And that she’d dropped an f-bomb in front of them.
“This is Lucas, Matty, and Tommy.”
Lucas and Matty shook her hand while Tommy waved shyly. Next to Lucas, a girl with short dark hair looked like she was about to explode with energy.
“I’m guessing you’re Cole?” Lauren said. “You did a great job on your paper.”
“I am! You read it? Really? And youlikedit? Oh, it issogreat to meet you! This is just, wow, I don’t even know.”
Cole’s excitement and enthusiasm were infectious, and Lauren felt the tension in her shoulders drop away. “Of course I read it. It has a nice balance of highlights and lowlights from my career without making it a gossip tale. I hope the Sisters gave you a good grade.”
“An A+.” Cole’s smile was a touch smug.
“She’s her mother’s daughter, I see,” Lauren said to Maggie.
“In more ways than one,” Maggie said.
“Me and Lucas were talking earlier,” Cole said. “It’s so cool you’re going to record in New York. You’re going to do all of it here and not in LA?”
“We are. I’m sure you know we’re working with Fitz McCallum. He likes having all the artists in the same place to record, and his studio’s here. So we’re here, too. I’ve got a little more writing to do, and then we’ll start doing serious work in the studio.”
“How long will you be here?” Cole asked.
“Probably at least a few months,” Lauren said, ignoring the specter of her writing block as it hovered in the back of her mind, taunting her. “You know, you should come to the studio one day and watch a session.”
Cole’s whole face lit up like she’d just been handed a million dollars. She clasped her hands in front of her. “Oh, Mom, can we? Please? That would be so awesome.”
“We’ll see. Depends on school and when things are happening.” Maggie’s smile was affectionate.
“There will be vacations coming up.”
“Don’t push your luck, young lady.”
Cole surrendered. “Shutting up now!”
As the group laughed, Lauren locked eyes with Richie. He’d been so kind to her when she was a teen, and the sentimental memory made her well up a little. His hair was silver and his middle portlier than she remembered, but he still had a sparkle in his eye and the charming smile that his son had inherited. He didn’t even ask, he just pulled her in for a tight bear hug.
The pleasant chatter continued, and Lauren asked after the rest of the family. Richie said that when Joey, his youngest son, got out of the Army, he was going to join the family business, helping to run Richie’s small string of jewelry stores. Lauren also learned Maggie was divorced and about her job at Bayard College. Cole shared what colleges she was considering applying for—none of which included Bayard, much to her mother’s clear dismay. Lauren made sure to ask how Danny’s mother was doing. He said she was doing well and offered some vague excuse for why she hadn’t come to the show. Lauren knew Deb was perfectly fine and was just as happy she hadn’t come. Enduring Deb’s disapproval would have made the night’s debacle so much worse.
