All the Way (Romancing Manhattan 1)

“Yeah?”

“Try it again.”

“Okay, I’ll humor you, but I really think it’s something far more serious than that.” I prop my ass on the seat again and push the button, and just like that, the car comes to life. “What did you do?”

“The cable to the battery was loose, which is odd, but not impossible, I guess. It should be fine now.”

“Thanks.” I check the time and swear under my breath. “I’m late, and they won’t see me now. I’ll have to reschedule my appointment.”

“So you’re free for a while?” he asks, and I look up to find him smiling at me.

“Depends.”

“Well, how about if I take you to lunch?”

“If you’re going to feed me, yes, I’m free.” I smile and then blink, remembering that he showed up out of nowhere. “Wait. Why did you come over here?”

“I was walking out to my own car and heard you talking to Siri,” he says with a shrug. “I wasn’t trying to be nosy, but I figured you could use a hand.”

“Thanks.”

He nods. “So, lunch?”

“Where’s Gabby?”

“I have to pick her up from piano lessons. She’ll join us, if that doesn’t bother you.”

“That doesn’t bother me.”

“Great.” He waits for me to follow him over to his car, opens the door for me, and pulls out of his driveway.

“So, Gabby had horseback-riding lessons yesterday, and piano lessons today?”

“Yes,” he says with a nod. “I have her in several activities. I want her to meet other kids and have fun.”

“I don’t mean to pry, but is she okay?”

He sighs and signals to make a turn. “I’m not sure what’s up with her. She’s been really challenging for her dad, so I offered to bring her here for a few weeks to give him a break. I was hoping it would help her attitude, but so far it hasn’t.”

“Where’s her mom?”

“She passed away about five years ago,” he replies. “Her mom was my younger sister. Carter, Gabby’s dad, is still a good friend, and a partner at the firm, and he was about at his wit’s end with her.”

“Maybe she’s just going through a rough patch.”

He nods and swings into a driveway where Gabby is waiting on the porch of a house with a grandmotherly woman waiting with her. She waves at Finn as Gabby runs down to the car.

“She’s in my seat,” she grumbles as she climbs into the backseat.

“London is my guest and you’ll be polite, young lady,” Finn says, staring her down in the rearview mirror. “Apologize for being rude.”

“Sorry,” she says, and looks out her window as Finn pulls out of the driveway. He takes us to a restaurant by the water that is known for its fish and chips.

“I love this place,” I say when he finds a space to park. “I’ve come here since I was a kid.”

“Perfect,” he says with a smile, and we all climb out of the car and get settled at a table inside. Once we’ve ordered our lunch and have our drinks, I take a sip of lemonade and turn to Gabby.

“So, what musicals are your favorite, Gabby?”

“A Summer’s Evening is my favorite,” she says, not looking me in the eyes.

“Really? That’s the musical that I acted in for a few years.”

She nods. “Yeah, I know. My dad took me a couple of times.”

She shrugs a shoulder, like it’s no big deal. Which is fine with me.

“Uncle Finn has me in those stupid piano lessons, but I’d rather learn how to sing better.”

I glance up at Finn. “Well, I can give you voice lessons.”

Her eyes fly up to mine, holding a little bit of hope now. “You could?”

“Sure.” I shrug, as if it’s no big deal, mimicking her movement from a few seconds ago, and wink at Finn. “I mean, I’ve taken voice and dance since I was a little girl. I could totally help you.”

She clears her throat and then nods. “Yeah, that could be cool.”

“Okay, well, when it works with your schedule, we’ll do that.”

Our food is delivered, and I dig in, suddenly realizing that I’m starving. The meal is full of fat and oil. Tons of carbs. And I don’t even care.

When my basket is empty, I sit back and pat my food belly. “Good lord, that was good. What did you think, Gabby?”

“Pretty good,” she admits, and gives Finn the side-eye, not wanting to show too much enthusiasm.

“Thanks for inviting me along. What do you guys have planned for the rest of the day?”

“Gabby has her first karate lesson,” Finn says, and my head spins. Good God, she goes nonstop, and it’s her summer vacation.

“You’re a busy girl.”

“Tell me about it,” she says, rolling her eyes again. “I thought we would come here to relax, I mean, school’s out and all, but Uncle Finn has me doing everything.”

“I don’t want you to be bored,” he says, and nudges her with his elbow, but she scoots away from him. She doesn’t see the look of hurt in his eyes, and I feel badly for him.