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“I could talk with them about hydroponics,” Holt said with a shrug, and Marlow glared at him.
“I’ll do it,” she said, though she didn’t sound too happy about it. Hopefully visiting Paths of Purpose would help her see what they do.
“Why don’t you come by sometime and we’ll talk about it?” Mrs. Quinn suggested, offering her a diplomatic smile. The one that was nearly impossible to say no to.
“Sure.” Marlow fussed over Blake. I’d done the same move countless times when I was uncomfortable.
I touched the tablecloth beside her when the conversation buzzed around us again. She glanced at me, startled.
“No pressure.”
“I wouldn’t volunteer if I didn’t want to,” she snapped, immediately wincing. “Sorry. I—”
“No need to explain or apologize.”
She nodded once and went back to her son. Andrew watched the entire exchange, but said nothing about his sister’s reaction.
“Do you allow men to speak? I’d be more than happy to discuss being an attorney.”
That made me smile. “So far, the mentors and speakers have only been women. Men volunteer at the shelter, but we’re still debating the extent they should be involved in the mentor program.”
“I guess for some women it would make them uncomfortable.” His underlying tone betrayed that he couldn’t fathom what that was like.
“For some,” I agreed, thinking about what strides I’d made in only a few months myself. “It’s also good for women to see other women who are successful in their fields of interest.”
Andrew nodded, seeming to understand that.
“We’ll keep both of you in mind if we open things up to men,” Mrs. Quinn said, looking pointedly at Holt and Andrew.
“I’d appreciate if you would, ma’am.” Holt tipped his head toward her.
It didn’t escape me that Mrs. Quinn hadn’t suggested they volunteer at Paths. She was protecting Baker and me until we were ready to reveal our truths—the shelter was our home.
Ella shrieked, and everyone at our table winced.
“Fine,” Baker huffed, though she wasn’t bothered at all. “I was going to have another glass of wine, but if you insist on going . . .”
Empty plates littered the table and everyone had that stuffed full look about them. For a little while, I’d forgotten about everything else but the here and now. If I’d let my fear keep me from coming to the restaurant like I almost had, I’d have missed out.
Baker stood and gathered her purse. “Are you two coming?”
Her gaze dared me to stay where I was, but there was no way I would. “We need to settle the bill.”
I reached for my wallet, placing it on the table after I pushed my empty plate away.
“Nonsense.” Mr. Dixon waved me off. “We’re thrilled you all came.”
“I can’t let you pay for our meal.” I fidgeted uncomfortably.
“Absolutely not,” Mrs. Quinn confirmed, already digging through her own purse.
Mr. Dixon covered her hand with his. “Allow me.” There was an unspoken please, something in the way he looked at her which caused her movement to halt. They stared at one another a moment before Mrs. Quinn relented.
“Thank you.”
I got to my feet, thanked Mr. Dixon, and said my goodbyes to Marlow, Holt, and Blake. Andrew gently grabbed my elbow before I got too far from the table.
I flinched and stared at where he held me.It’s okay. It’s okay.He didn’t mean anything by the gesture. Iknewthat. Yet memories threatened to assault me from every direction.
