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Lanie’s face broke into a smile. “I’ll discuss it with Nate, but I appreciate your support.”
“Anytime.”
“Now”—Lanie removed a laptop from her bag—“we should probably discuss the fundraiser.”
The next evening, Rose stood outside The Muddy Oar, patiently waiting for Max to drop Steven off. Something about their new normal reminded her of being a freshman in high school. Steven’s dad playing chauffeur necessitated a curfew they hadn’t had previously. While she missed the freedoms they’d enjoyed before Steven’s accident, she had to admit the changes made their time together all the more precious.
As Max maneuvered Steven’s wheelchair through the parking lot, her fiancé gave an embarrassed wave. The restrictions were taking their toll on him.
“I’ll be back in two hours to pick him up,” Max said after pushing the wheelchair up on the sidewalk. “The aides will be coming to help him into bed around eight.”
“She knows, Dad,” Steven said, the irritability clear in his tone.
“Good luck,” Max muttered under his breath as he brushed by Rose.
“I heard that,” Steven grumbled.
Stifling a sigh, Rose grasped the wheelchair handles and steered Steven into the restaurant. The dining area was mostly empty, though it was rather early for dinner.
“Table for two, please,” Rose told the host standing at the podium. He had dark hair and didn’t look a day over sixteen.
With a nod, he led them to a table near the back corner. The host removed one of the chairs, and Rose angled the wheelchair into the empty spot. She took the seat across from Steven and accepted a menu.
“Your server will be with you shortly,” the host said before returning to his post.
“How was work today?” Rose asked as she opened her menu.
“Not bad. Thanks to Michael, I’m at least meeting deadlines again. Though that may change in a couple of weeks.”
“Why do you say that?”
Steven’s eyebrows drew together. “He’s taking the bar exam at the end of the month.”
“But that’s good, isn’t it?” Rose asked. “He’ll be able to do more when he passes.”
“He won’t have the results until October.” Steven sighed. “That won’t stop the offers from pouring in, though.”
“He’s committed to staying the summer, isn’t he?”
Shaking his head, Steven set his menu aside. “That’s what I advertised for, but we didn’t sign any sort of employment contract. He’s free to leave sooner if he finds something more permanent.”
Then offer him something more permanent. Rose bit her tongue to keep from saying that out loud. They hadn’t had a nice evening together in a while, and she didn’t want to start a fight.
“Has he said anything about wanting to leave?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean he won’t.”
Worrying her lower lip, Rose raised her menu to hide her face. He was starting to sound eerily like Mr. Patrones. It was making her uncomfortable.
“Anyway, how are things with you? I hear you had lunch with Lanie yesterday.”
“Not really lunch, but we met at Bea’s to discuss the fundraiser.”
“Did she tell you she picked a wedding date?” he asked darkly.
Rose lowered her menu and met his gaze. “She did, and I successfully talked her out of it.”
That perked him up. “You did? How’d you manage that?”
