SIMON SET THE OVEN-roasted chicken on the dining table. “Dinner is served.”
“Not quite,” Sophie said as she stepped into the dining room with the bottle of Champagne in her hand. She gently placed the bottle on the table that was already laden with so much food Simon had no idea how they were going to finish it all. “Now it’s served. Simon, please sit down. You’ve helped so much already.”
He smiled and sat down between Heather and Finn, while Sophie took her seat at one end of the table opposite her husband.
“This looks wonderful, Sophie,” he said.
Heather’s mom beamed but she waved her hand. “It’s nothing really. Now go on and eat, everyone. Tell me how the tomato soup is.”
They all started to dig in, each of them complimenting the delicious soup.
All the nervous energy he had been carrying all day over this dinner was starting to vanish. Her parents had always been welcoming when he was a child, but he didn’t know how they would feel about him being back in Heather’s life after all these years. As it turned out, he shouldn’t have worried. Bob and Sophie were the most gracious people he had ever known, and they had put him right at ease. And the way Sophie still fussed over him, it was as if he had never left.
With the soup finished, Simon helped to clear the soup bowls away while Heather’s mother began to serve the pasta and the roast chicken.
“So, Simon, I hear that you and Heather are working together again,” Bob said.
He nodded. “Yes. Heather is my media relations assistant and spokeswoman.”
“That sounds like a pretty important job,” Bob said.
“It is,” Simon said with a nod. “It’s important enough for me to give her a hard time about it.”
“Not a fan of the media, huh?” Bob chuckled. “Well, I think you’ll both work it out. A business needs strong personalities if it hopes to thrive.”
“I totally agree,” Simon said.
“Boy, you’ve really done well for yourself,” Bob said. “I know I had nothing to do with your success, but seeing how far you’ve come I’ve got say I’m proud of you, Simon.”
Simon blinked away the sting in his eyes. “The truth is, Bob, you and Sophie have more to do with my success than you know. Your home was a haven for me during my childhood. I got most of my childhood dreams and ideas at your house. Your support, combined with Heather’s, is why I managed to accomplish anything at all.”
Bob smiled. “I appreciate you telling us that.”
“And we’re so happy to have you, Simon,” Sophie said. “It’s just wonderful to see you two together again. We’re so lucky to have you here.”
He smiled at Heather. “I’m the lucky one.”
Heather returned his smile and placed her hand over his affectionately.
There was so much kindness and warmth from Heather’s family. Over the years, Simon had put aside the desire to connect with people. Spent his days focused on nothing but work. But each day that he shared with Heather his heart opened more and more than it ever had. More people were getting through the defenses he had put up around his heart. First Heather. Then Finn. Now her parents.
A loud, distant bang made Heather snatch her hand away in surprise.
“What on earth was that?” Sophie cried.
“I’ll go see what that is,” Bob said.
Simon shot to his feet. “No Bob, I’ll go.”
The sound of heavy footsteps started to echo in the next room, and Simon instinctively reached for the carving knife by the chicken.
“Heather? Where the hell are you?” Gary’s familiar voice echoed before he stumbled into the room.
“Gary?” Heather gasped. “What are you doing here?”
Gary snarled at them, swaying on his feet.
Even though he had just walked into the room, Simon could smell that Heather’s ex-husband reeked of alcohol. “Have you been drinking?”
“Please, no. Gary, don’t tell me you drove here in this state...” Heather stood up.
“You’re not going to replace me, Heather.” Gary’s words were slurred. “Simon isn’t my kid’s father. I am.”