Midlife Do Over

“No problem, Krista.” I flashed a grateful smile to her before turning to Ryan. “Gotta go, Mr. Gregory. Tonight is a big night for this place. And for you.”

His gaze seared through me as if he were trying to see past my eyes, past the strong exterior I was determined to present to him and the rest of the world. “We’ll continue this discussion at another time, Ms. Carson.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I assure him and turned away quickly to give Krista another quick tutorial before the dining room was flooded with customers.

It didn’t take much time before the place was packed. Margot had shown up with a bunch of well-dressed people and taken over a large table in the back of the restaurant. My brother Chase showed up, alone of course, and I hugged him tight, smiling as if we hadn’t seen each other in ages, when I’d seen him just a few days ago. “Thanks for coming.”

Chase shrugged off my words with a smile and a hint of a blush. “My sister is in charge of the biggest restaurant opening in town. Where else would I be?”

“Good answer. No date?”

He quirked a brow in my direction as if to say, Really? “How are things working out with the boss?”

I rolled my eyes in response. “Things are…working out.” That was as much as I was prepared to say—to anyone—about learning that my new boss was the former love of my life.

“Right. Can I get a table?”

“For one?” It was the perfect opening to find out if my brother was dating since he kept his own counsel, which I supposed was a way to keep his private life, well private.

“That would be great, actually.”

My shoulder sank. “It really wouldn’t be, Chase. Not tonight. You’re the mayor and you should be mingling. Want me to see if there’s room at Margot’s table for you?”

“God, no! The last thing I want is to talk business tonight.” His eyes bounced around the dining room in search of a table to crash. “I’m sure someone will let me join them.”

“Hi, Mayor Chase!” Belle stopped beside me and stared up at my brother with a beauty queen smile. “You can sit with us, can’t he Mom?”

Valona and Bridget joined us a few moments behind the exuberant Belle. “If Chase doesn’t mind eating with three chatty females, he’s more than happy to join us for dinner.”

My brother looked at the pre-teens and grinned. “You girls are twelve, right?” They both nodded. “You promise not to talk about the stock market and ways to turn Main Street green?”

Bridget giggled and nodded her agreement. “Not a problem at all.”

Belle shrugged. “Solar panels are a cheaper way to light the streets at night, but fine, I promise.” She rolled her eyes with an exacerbated sigh that had all the adults smiling.

“Right this way,” I told the now table of four because unlike many restaurant managers, I didn’t mind pitching in to help out the hostess when things got busy. Before she could sit, I grabbed my best friend by the arm and pulled her a few steps back. “You could have told me that Ryan owns this place, Val.”

“I tried, but you were too gung ho to change your life, to land that job, to listen. I seem to remember trying to tell you a few times.” Valona wasn’t affected at all by my angry tone.

“You had days since then to say something. Anything, Val.” I hated that he’d blindsided me. Twice.

“I could have,” she conceded with a slightly sympathetic smile. “But that crinkle in your brow is back and so darn amusing.”

“Gee thanks,” I murmured and swatted her hand away from said crinkle in the middle of my face. “Pretend I’ve just flipped you the bird, would ya?”

“Nah. This is going to be interesting to say the least, and I could really use some interesting in my life right now.”

“Make your own,” I growled and pushed her towards the empty space beside Belle.

“But living vicariously through your interesting life is very low stakes for me,” she whispered with a giggle.

“Really making me glad to be home,” I told her sarcastically before turning my attention to her daughters. “Don’t you girls look pretty today.”

“We look the same except for our clothes, Aunt Pippa.” Belle’s monotone told me exactly what she thought of my compliment.

“Thank you, Aunt Pippa. It’s the new lip gloss, cherry shine.” Bridget smacked her lips dramatically before a slow smile spread across her face. “Do I look like a teenager?”

“Unfortunately for your mother, you absolutely do.”

Her face brightened beautifully. “Thanks.” She blushed prettily and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Enjoy the meal guys and I’ll try to swing back around in a little bit.”

“Good luck,” Valona offered.

“Knock ’em dead,” Chase encouraged with a wink.

“Have a good night,” the twins sing-song shouted in unison.