Chapter 25 Ladies’ Lunch
Chapter twenty-five
Ladies' Lunch
As soon as I clocked out for break, I texted Angel to warn him about my family luncheon. But the little ‘Read’ notification never appeared. Was he too busy working?
I rushed ahead of Kat and my mom to warn him in person. “I have to wash my hands,” I called over my shoulder.
Kat chuckled and tugged Mom over to the dessert case. “Let’s pick our slices before we sit.”
The hostess side-eyed me as I blew past her desk. “Hello, girlfriend,” she said.
“Hello…Hostess.” We didn’t have time for pleasantries.
I spotted Angel from behind as he strode down an aisle. His ass was extra perfect in those slacks. Hopefully, that wasn’t my mother’s first impression of him.
“Angel,” I called.
He turned and smirked. “Hey, pidge. Did you come to get your cake?”
I yanked him into the hallway leading to the restrooms.
He chuckled and leaned against the wall, dragging me closer. “I love your enthusiasm, but the only place we could be alone here is the walk-in freezer, and even then, we might get locked in and have to use our body heat.” He nipped at my jaw.
I gasped and eased back, placing my hand on his chest. “My mom’s here.”
He straightened his spine and glanced around, his brows furrowed. “Your mom?”
“She showed up at The Closette and wanted to take me and Kat here to make amends. I tried texting to warn you. I’m so sorry.” I covered my heated face.
He eased my arms aside. “Nothing to be sorry about. I haven’t been able to check my phone all day. How’re you feeling?”
“Embarrassed. Awkward. This isn’t how I pictured the two of you meeting.”
His tone flattened. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t want you to be in a position of having to wait on us. I wanted you to be able to sit and enjoy a meal together, not worried about tips or managers or anything else, including our family drama.”
“Aw, pidge, I can be charming in any situation.” He lovingly pinched my cheeks to make me smile.
Snickering, I clasped his wrists. “I know you can. So, you’re okay with us sitting in your section?”
“I demand it,” he said, then pulled me toward him.
With every kiss, my worries melted like butter in a warm pan.
We’d be fine as long as we had each other’s backs.
He jerked his chin. “I have to wash my hands. You go ahead.”
“But—”
“Trust me.” He smacked my butt. “Now, get.”
I sheepishly passed the hostess desk only to return with my mom and sister to ask, “Table for three, please?”
The hostess sighed and grabbed our menus. “Table or booth?”
“Table,” I answered.
“So it’s easier to escape,” Kat joked.
Mom rolled her eyes and strolled ahead of us to follow the hostess.
Kat grinned, hips swaying as she fell into line behind me. “How was ‘the bathroom?’”
I shot her a warning glare. “Good, thank you. I’m sure you’ll see it yourself soon.”
He’d probably make a better impression if Mom didn’t find out we’d just had a mini rendezvous.
“Enjoy,” the hostess said without any enthusiasm, then clip-clopped away in dark heels.
We grasped our menus, but I was too busy scanning the room for my boyfriend to actually read it.
Mom glanced over. “Do you know what you’re ordering?”
“Yes. I was just looking for the bread basket,” I said.
“She’s really hungry,” Kat said knowingly.
I struggled between laughing or kicking her under the table, but she smiled and busied herself with the menu as if to show she wouldn’t tease me too badly.
The scent of vanilla meringue wafted over before my boyfriend sashayed to the table and set down a basket of warm bread.
“Hello ladies. My name is Angel, and I’ll be your cake liaison today.
What would you like to start with? Drinks, appetizers, or are you ready for the main event?
” He rubbed his hands together and flashed me a mischievous, breathtaking smile.
I sat up, my heart racing. “Uh, I think we might need one more minute.”
Mom waved me off. “Oh no. I decided quickly—don’t want to waste your break. I’ll have the cobb salad.”
“I’ll have the short ribs medium-rare, please.” Kat handed him her menu, then arched an eyebrow at me. “See anything you like, Tori?”
“Y-yes.” I flushed and glanced at Angel.
Should I ‘order’ myself a boyfriend, knowing he’d serve himself for me?
He gave me a gentle smile, his tone lighter than whipped cream. “What would you like, beautiful?”
No wonder he earned such great tips.
I scrambled for my menu. “The…chicken madeira, please.”
“Any drinks?” he asked, collecting the menus.
“Water’s fine for us,” I assured him, gesturing to our already-filled glasses.
“I’ll be back soon, ladies.” He tucked his pen behind his ear, held snug by his arrow piercing, and winked at me before he strode away, hips swaying.
Mom nudged me. “I think he likes you.”
Kat grinned. “I think so too.”
Face flaming, I reached for the ice water. “He’s a very nice, attentive gentleman.”
Mom peered down the aisle. “Do you want me to ask if he has a girlfriend?”
“No,” I said sharply.
Kat stifled a giggle.
I took a sip of water to relieve my dry mouth, then spread the cloth napkin in my lap. “I have a boyfriend, actually.”
Kat cheered and clapped whereas Mom grasped the pendant with the family birthstones that Dad had gotten for her birthday.
“What do you mean?” she asked. “Since when? Who is he?”
I straightened my posture. “I’ll introduce you properly once we figure out this whole family thing.”
She furrowed her brow. “What family thing?”
“Jen,” I emphasized.
“Oh, yes. Jen.” Mom fluffed her napkin into her lap. “I gave her two options for when you girls visit. She can either be welcoming or sit in her room.”
“Is she grounded?” Kat asked dryly, tearing off a chunk of bread.
Mom sighed. “She’s a grown woman now. I can’t exactly take away her phone, but I did threaten to charge her rent.”
That was a good start. I wasn’t sure it’d do much to curb her selfishness, though.
Kat caught me frowning, then asked, “What about Tori’s room?”
Mom hesitated. “That’s up to Tori. She does have a bigger room, better suited for two.
But Jen’s not entitled to it. She could’ve asked nicely.
Or earlier in the pregnancy. Of course, she was hoping to move in with the father a few months postpartum, so I get the feeling she didn’t want to cross that bridge until she came to it.
Moving twice within a year would be a lot of effort. ”
“That does sound tiring.” And I’d only brought a few bags during my grand exit.
“You don’t have to decide yet.” Kat tore her bread into tinier pieces, her gaze flashing between us. “Have you met the baby-daddy?”
“Yes. Briefly.” Mom sliced off her own piece. “He's the father of my grandchild, so I shouldn’t be too harsh, but I’m not impressed by what I’ve seen.”
Maybe that meant Angel would shine all the brighter in comparison. Not that this was a competition. Victor was great for Kat, and Angel was great for me. Surely, Mom could be happy about that.
After a bit of catching up, Mom turned to me, her eyes alight with excitement. “So, tell us about your boyfriend. What’s he like?”
My gaze flitted to Angel, who approached with the trays of food. “He’s smart, funny, hard-working, and sweet. He makes me happy, and I’ll admit he’s incredibly good-looking,” I said, stifling a smile when he leaned over me, his vanilla musk filling my lungs.
Angel flexed his arms more than necessary as he set my plate down. “He must be pretty special to have caught the eye of a lovely girl like yourself.”
I crossed my ankles and smiled softly at him. “He is.”
Our eye contact lingered for a moment longer than appropriate.
“Are you sure you like this boyfriend?” Mom prodded.
Angel, Kat, and I burst out laughing.
“Yes,” I insisted, “I lo—”
Oh no. No confessions at the dinner table.
“I lucked out,” I coughed.
“So did he,” Angel said.
Hopefully, nobody noticed my ‘love’ slip-up amid the food arrival.
I quickly gulped down some water to prevent any more mishaps.
Angel peered at me. “You good?”
Mom cleared her throat and nodded to dismiss our server. “We’re all set, thank you.”
He wiped his palms on his slacks. “Great. I’ll check on you in a few minutes.” He bowed his head, then flew from the table.
“I think you’re making him nervous,” Mom said.
“I didn’t mean to,” I said through full cheeks.
This love stuff kept complicating things. Or maybe it was the theatrics of not introducing him yet.
Kat checked her phone and texted somebody. Probably her boyfriend. Should we have invited him to this? He was basically family now, the way him and Kat got on.
“How’s Victor?” I asked. “Are you going to bring him a piece of cake later?”
“He’s good. And yes, I’ll get him a slice, but I can buy it separate,” she told us.
“I don’t mind getting him a little something.” Mom’s voice pitched just enough to remind us this was a happy family bribe, but these desserts were eight dollars a slice.
“We could consider the dessert an early housewarming present,” Kat said offhandedly.
Mom inhaled deeply.
Big day for her kids.
I perked up to encourage the conversation. “Are you officially moving in together, then?”
Kat glanced away and played with the giant cross hanging from her neck. “Yes. This last week has really put things in perspective. We want to start and end each day together. Forever.”
Mom reached for Kat’s hand. “Forever? Are you engaged? Did you elope already?”
“Not yet.” My sister crudely showed off her bare ring finger. “But I do love accessories—and Victor said he’s picked out a nice one for me.”
“Really? Have you seen it?” I beamed.
Kat smiled, her cheeks pink. “Only the stones. He’s having his sister teach him how to make the setting.”
“Wow,” I gushed, my imagination sparkling with all kinds of strawberry rubies and blackberry-colored gemstones. Every time she looked at it, she’d remember how much he loved her.
“Home-made jewelry?” Mom covered her eyes for a second. “Oh, Kat. You’ve known each other for what, six months?”
“Normally, I’d agree that it’s too fast for an engagement. That we couldn’t possibly know each other, we’re only in our twenties, and we’re just honeymooning too hard to realize what fools we mortals be.”
“Is that a Shakespeare reference?” I asked.
“Maybe.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she flipped her dark hair.
“But we’ve already faced some pretty serious trials, and he’s shown me what a wonderful partner he can be.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop being curious about what he’s thinking—and the same goes for him with me. Plus, Jinx likes him.”
“Your cat? You’re going to marry a man because your cat likes him?” Mom asked.
“He’s a great judge of character,” Kat said.
That was probably true. I wondered what he’d made of Angel after our disastrous breakfast. Hopefully, he’d enjoyed some of that spilled whipped cream.
Kat swirled the ice in her glass. “Besides, just because we get engaged doesn’t mean we’re getting married right away.”
That was true. She’d probably want an October wedding.
“Congratulations,” I said, grabbing and shaking her arm. “Have you decided where you’re going to live?”
“His house has more space, but I might sublet my apartment just in case we need it.” The way she averted her gaze was more indicative of my living situation than any doubts about her relationship.
Angel strode by, and we exchanged small, secret smiles.
I was happy where I was. Even if we wouldn’t have permanent reign over his mother’s house, I wanted to be with him every day, so I understood my sister’s eagerness to get there with her boyfriend.
Mom sighed. “I’m guessing Victor doesn’t plan to ask your father and I for our blessing.”
“That’s not really our thing.” Kat plucked a piece of food off her fork with her teeth.
Mom tugged at her pendant. “I know things aren’t perfect in our family, but we’ll always be here for you, whatever you need.”
“We really don’t need anything. I appreciate the lunch, though,” Kat said.
“Would you be willing to do a celebratory dinner with the whole family?” she pressed.
“Including Jen?” I clarified incredulously.
“That way, she can apologize in person. It’ll be the perfect chance to make amends. You can even invite your boyfriend,” Mom said.
Kat snorted. “Perfect. He can be a witness. I’m sure Jen will love celebrating that her two younger sisters found happiness while she’s miserable and pregnant by some creep.”
“We could invite her boyfriend,” Mom hedged.
Kat laughed. Hard.
“I think it’d be better if you met my boyfriend in a slightly less hectic setting,” I said.
“Such as?”
“How about…here?” I caught Angel’s eye and waved him over. “Are you free for the main event?”
“One second.” He snatched the flowers from a centerpiece on a nearby table.
Mom laughed at the novelty. “What is he…?”
I stood and caressed his arm, clasping his free hand. “Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Angel.”
He presented the bouquet to my mother. “Nice to meet you again, Mrs. Silver. I can see where Tori gets her beautiful smile.”
Mom gaped at us. “H-he… You just…”
“Took your order? Yes. And how’s the food been?” he asked with charming cadence.
“Good?” Her eyes glazed over as if she was trying to remember the meal in front of her amid this new information.
“Everything’s excellent,” Kat embellished.
“Glad to hear it,” Angel said.
Mom narrowed her eyes. “Is this a prank? Are you all playing a joke on me for revenge?”
“No, although we were a bit sneaky about it,” I said, leaning into my boyfriend.
My sister grinned and raised her phone. “I should be filming this. Your face is hilarious.”
Mom pushed the camera away. “Stop that.”
Angel squeezed my hand. “I’ll go get the takeout boxes and dessert menus to give you a moment to digest.”
“Thanks.” I kissed him—just a brief peck—on muscle memory.
Mom gasped as if I’d just mounted him on the table. “He’s your boyfriend?”
“Yes." I grinned.
"She just said that," Kat chided.
Angel chuckled and sauntered off to check on his other tables.
“He seems nice enough, I guess. A charming young man. How did you two start dating?” Mom asked.
I shrugged and turned as he approached a table with a few other waiters for a birthday song. But my insides glowed way brighter than the candle when he smiled at me.
“He and his really good cake just kinda snuck up on me.”