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"Yes." Rowan preferred it. She would text Lysander and ask him to video call her a little later than usual.
"Good." Her mother named a time and restaurant to meet.
"That's not your usual haunt," Rowan said with surprise.
The restaurant had an excellent chef but was small and out of the way. Not a spot to see and be seen.
"It's quiet and we'll get a chance to catch up without having to worry about paparazzi or running into acquaintances."
Particularly having an early lunch like her mother planned. Their social set didn't do lunch at eleven in the morning. That was for brunch and brunch wasn't done midweek at small eateries, no matter how good the chef.
Was it possible that her mother actually just wanted to catch up with Rowan? The idea made her smile. Although her mother's criticism had hurt over the years, she had also been the one parent who showed interest in Rowan's life both before and after her wedding to Cyrus.
~ ~ ~
Rowan was taken to the table where her mother waited as soon as she arrived at the restaurant. The dining room was practically empty.
Most Greek city dwellers ate lunch much later, but the restaurant served breakfast as well, so they probably saw little benefit in closing down when they might pick up some tourist business.
Not that it was anywhere near the typical tourist areas. Okay, she didn't know why they stayed open for what had to be a very quiet couple of hours midmorning. Did it really matter?
Rowan only knew she preferred the lack of people in case lunch didn't go well with her mother.
As soon as Rowan reached the table, Vanessa Johnson stood to hug her. It wasn't effusive and warm like Iona's hugs, but it wasn't entirely social fake either.
Vanessa sat down, carefully spreading her napkin over her lap. "I've already ordered our lunch."
"Okay."
"Do not look at me like that. I am your mother. I know the food you like to eat. I ordered you fish."
Rowan loved seafood and had to smile. "Thank you."
Although since coming to Greece, she'd learned that people typically ate their largest meal for lunch and lighter fare for dinner, Rowan wasn't surprised to see a small grilled fillet served with a leafy salad when their food was brought to the table.
Her mother had never approved of her curvier figure. Rowan was comfortable with her body though and that was all that mattered. Okay, it was pretty nice that Lysander found her sexually irresistible as well.
Without an iota of embarrassment, she requested pita bread to accompany her lunch and pointedly ignored her mother's look of disapproval.
Carbs were not her enemy.
Lunch was surprisingly pleasant without her mother making a single overt criticism. Discussion moved to her parents' upcoming social engagements and her mother asked if Rowan planned to attend any of the functions the following week.
"No." Rowan didn't explain that she would be out of the country.
That would only lead to more questions that would result in an argument if answered.
Any sense of pleasantness went right out the window when Rowan spied a familiar and unwelcome figure approaching their table. Adele Fournier.
Vanessa stood with a smile for the supermodel. Adele kissed the air beside both of Rowan's mother's cheeks in greeting before the women both sat down.
This had been a setup.
Unaccountably disappointed, Rowan tossed her napkin on the table and stood up.
Her mother grabbed her arm with surprising strength, halting her. "No. Do not leave. I invited Ms. Fournier to join us, and she took time out of her busy schedule to do so. The least you can do is listen to what she has to say."
"No." Rowan tried to pull her arm away.
